Rodgers hails positive atmosphere at Liverpool

The 1-0 win over Stoke on Saturday was an improvement to the 3-0 loss to West Brom on the opening day of last season and the Reds boss says it is a reflection of the squad's mood

 Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes there is a distinctly different mood in the Anfield dressing room this season.

The Northern Irishman says there was a positive atmosphere within the squad ahead of their opening-day 1-0 win over Stoke, which is in contrast to last season when they suffered a 3-0 loss to West Brom.

And Rodgers is keen for the momentum to continue, with Arsenal's conquerors, Aston Villa, up next followed by the visit of Manchester United on September 1.

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"I remember last year and people saying to me 'should we be losing 3-0 to West Brom?' They were absolutely right," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"But we've got better and better as we've gone on. It's a big job here.

"But I just got the feeling in the dressing room beforehand, when the players were getting together, some of our staff were saying that it just feels different this year.

"There's a camaraderie and a togetherness there. Long may it continue.

"We haven't won the World Cup, it's a game of football. But the lads are happy, they've done their job. They knew this was a big three points."