Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has told his players they must show more 'steel' in order to improve their inconsistent form so far this season, the Independent reports.

In the last three matches Rodgers has seen his side lose comprehensively at home to struggling Aston Villa, hammer Fulham the following game and then lose away at Stoke, summing up the Reds inconsistent campaign.

The Liverpool chief feels it is adamant his players begin to show more steel in order to cut out the mistakes, if his side want to seriously contend for European places and silverware in the future.

"If you are going to affect the top of the league, which is what we want to do in years to come, you have to have more steel than that," said Rodgers.

"But if you concede goals like that it is going to be difficult to win games anywhere."

"Every game is learning. We learned after the Villa performance and responded well against Fulham and I am sure we will get a reaction on Sunday."

"But we want to be more consistent than that. We can't be reacting al the time."

The manager will look to strengthen his squad in January to help their cause, but will hope to see an improvement from his current crop of players when they travel to Harry Redknapp's struggling QPR on Sunday.