Hodgon not fazed by league table
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has said he will pay no mind to the Premier League table until at least ten matches have been played.
"After 10 games I will start worrying about the table but until then I'll worry more about performances and results," Hodgson told Liverpool's official website. "I think tables are of no interest until at least 10 games have been played. Then you start looking to see how big a gap there is between yourself and the top teams or between yourself and the bottom teams. I don't think you worry about that after three games."
After their three opening fixtures, Liverpool are 13th in the table, having defeated West Bromwich but drawn Arsenal and suffered a 3–0 home defeat to Manchester City.
But Hodgson, who took charge of the club this summer, will be confident his squad can improve, boosted by the return to form of striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard's impressive displays for England in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
New international schedule spares clubs a day
Hodgson also said he supports FIFA and UEFA's decision to schedule international fixtures on Tuesdays rather than Wednesdays this season, giving his team more time to prepare before the weekend's league encounter.
"A day is a day and an extra day helps enormously," he said, citing the new scheduling as a "huge advantage," having received his players back at the club one day early. "This week we got most of the players back on Wednesday which gave us Thursday, Friday and also Saturday to prepare."
Another reason for Hodgson to be optimistic is the tough matches Liverpool have already played this season. While only on four points, the club have hosted Arsenal and Manchester City, both strong contenders for the league title.
"The programme plays a big part in that and we've already played Arsenal at home and Manchester City away. Injuries play a part as well when teams don't have their best team available early on but will do soon."
With some easier fixtures ahead, Liverpool should advance in the table. Hodgson's side travel to Birmingham City on Sunday.
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