Italy coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to again omit Mario Balotelli from the national team.
The Liverpool striker was overlooked by Conte in his first squad selection last month and Conte feels the ex-Manchester City striker needs more time to focus adjusting to life at Liverpool.
Balotelli, who played for Italy at the World Cup in Brazil, has now also been left out of the Azzurri's 26-man roster for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
"Mario has started a new path," Conte said in Monday's press conference. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool.
"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad.
"I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different."
Balotelli, who was left out of Liverpool's starting XI against West Brom at the weekend, moved to Anfield from AC Milan this summer.
One player competing in the Premier League that has made Conte's squad is Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
Pelle has been in sizzling form since joining the Saints in July from Dutch side Feyenoord, and has earned his first-call up to the senior team.
The 29-year-old has scored four goals and set up one more in seven Premier League appearances so far.
"Graziano represents what I've always said," Conte said. "Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player that in two years has scored 50 goals.
"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League league after an adventure in Holland.
"I am curious to see him from close range in order to understand if he can help us.
"He deserved this call up from all points of view."
Conte has told his players he will not allow any conflicts that may arise from Serie A rivalries to affect the national team.
Juve, whom Conte led to three-straight league titles before leaving the Turin outfit this summer to accept the Italy post, edged Roma 3-2 on Sunday in a top-of-the table showdown.
The game in Turin was tense, with three penalties awarded, two players sent off and Roma coach Rudi Garcia given his marching orders.
Six Juve players have been included in Italy's squad while Roma's Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi are also in Conte's latest selection.
"I have told my players what I have said in the past," Conte said. "Issues regarding the league must be left outside the changing room.
"We all have to work towards one mission, that of the national team.
"My task is to qualify the national team to the European Championship.
"We want to achieve that by playing good attacking football.
"We want to play the style of football of a team that always wants to take the initiative regardless of who we face.
"My aim is for this national team to have a winning mentality.
"Back in September I was pleasantly surprised by the positive approach of all the members in the group.
"I hope and I'm certain that I will find the same determination this time around."
Italy put behind them their first round elimination from the World Cup when they began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win at Norway last month.
The Azzurri take on Group H rivals Azerbaijan at Palermo's Renzo Barbera stadium on Friday before travelling to Ta'Qali to face Malta on October 13.
Italy coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to again omit Mario Balotelli from the national team.
The Liverpool striker was overlooked by Conte in his first squad selection last month and Conte feels the ex-Manchester City striker needs more time to focus adjusting to life at Liverpool.
Balotelli, who played for Italy at the World Cup in Brazil, has now also been left out of the Azzurri's 26-man roster for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
"Mario has started a new path," Conte said in Monday's press conference. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool.
"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad.
"I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different."
Balotelli, who was left out of Liverpool's starting XI against West Brom at the weekend, moved to Anfield from AC Milan this summer.
One player competing in the Premier League that has made Conte's squad is Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
Pelle has been in sizzling form since joining the Saints in July from Dutch side Feyenoord, and has earned his first-call up to the senior team.
The 29-year-old has scored four goals and set up one more in seven Premier League appearances so far.
"Graziano represents what I've always said," Conte said. "Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player that in two years has scored 50 goals.
"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League league after an adventure in Holland.
"I am curious to see him from close range in order to understand if he can help us.
"He deserved this call up from all points of view."
Conte has told his players he will not allow any conflicts that may arise from Serie A rivalries to affect the national team.
Juve, whom Conte led to three-straight league titles before leaving the Turin outfit this summer to accept the Italy post, edged Roma 3-2 on Sunday in a top-of-the table showdown.
The game in Turin was tense, with three penalties awarded, two players sent off and Roma coach Rudi Garcia given his marching orders.
Six Juve players have been included in Italy's squad while Roma's Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi are also in Conte's latest selection.
"I have told my players what I have said in the past," Conte said. "Issues regarding the league must be left outside the changing room.
"We all have to work towards one mission, that of the national team.
"My task is to qualify the national team to the European Championship.
"We want to achieve that by playing good attacking football.
"We want to play the style of football of a team that always wants to take the initiative regardless of who we face.
"My aim is for this national team to have a winning mentality.
"Back in September I was pleasantly surprised by the positive approach of all the members in the group.
"I hope and I'm certain that I will find the same determination this time around."
Italy put behind them their first round elimination from the World Cup when they began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win at Norway last month.
The Azzurri take on Group H rivals Azerbaijan at Palermo's Renzo Barbera stadium on Friday before travelling to Ta'Qali to face Malta on October 13.
Angel Di Maria's impact, Jordan Henderson's creativity and Laurent Koscielny's clumsiness feature in our review of the weekend's statistics.
We look at the statistics from a Premier League weekend which saw Chelsea move two points further clear at the summit with a 2-0 win over Arsenal, with Manchester City climbing above Southampton into second after winning at Aston Villa.
Manchester United go into the international break fourth after a third straight home success, while QPR slipped to the bottom as they lost at West Brom but both Burnley and Newcastle picked up a point.
Hull City 2 Crystal Palace 0
Mohamed Diame has scored three goals in four Premier League games for Hull City, the same total he managed in his last 25 games for West Ham.
The Tigers ended a run of five games without a league win at the KC Stadium (W1 D2 L3).
Hull's win also ended a run of eight league games without a win against Crystal Palace (D4 L4).
Nikica Jelavic has scored four Premier League goals already this season, the same total he managed in the competition last term.
Crystal Palace have conceded at least twice in four of their last five away league games.
Steve Bruce's side kept their first clean sheet on home soil since April (1-0 v Swansea).
The Tigers scored with both shots on target in this game.
Leicester City 2 Burnley 2
Jeffrey Schlupp scored his first Premier League goal and his first goal in any competition since New Year's Day (v Millwall).
Burnley have only kept one clean sheet in 23 Premier League away games.
Michael Kightly's goal ended Burnley's run of 565 minutes without a league goal; it was the 10th longest in Premier League history.
Leicester City have scored more home goals than any other Premier League team this season (10).
Ross Wallace's last-gasp equaliser was the latest scored in the Premier League this term (95:15).
Leicester have won five and lost none of the last eight league meetings with Burnley.
Nigel Pearson's side have lost just one of their last 19 league games on home soil (W12 D6 L1). They have scored in every game in that 19-match run.
Burnley scored as many goals in this game as they had in their last five Premier League away games combined (2).
Liverpool 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Only four Premier League players have made more assists than Jordan Henderson (10) since the start of last season.
Adam Lallana scored his first Premier League goal since March 29, ending a run of 189 days without one.
Against no side has Lallana scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Bromwich Albion (2, level with Newcastle and Tottenham).
Saido Berahino has already equalled his Premier League tally from last season (5).
The Reds have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League matches and are without a shutout in seven at Anfield.
Since the start of last season, Liverpool have scored 56 PL goals via English players, 15 more than any other team.
Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1
Connor Wickham's goal was his first in his last 10 Premier League appearances.
Stoke have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 away PL matches.
Charlie Adam has now netted three goals against Sunderland in the Premier League; against no side has scored more.
Victor Moses has provided an assist in each of his last three PL apps, the first time the Nigerian international has ever done this.
Steven Fletcher's goals were his first in his last 14 games for the Black Cats in all competitions.
Fletcher has now both scored and provided an assist in five Premier League games.
The Scottish striker's goals came from his only two shots of the game.
This was the Potters' first away defeat in their last six Premier League games on the road.
This victory for the Black Cats was their first win in the top division in eight games.
This is only the second time in their last 21 Premier League games where Sunderland have netted more than two goals.
Sunderland scored with all their three of their shots (not incl. blocked).
Swansea City 2 Newcastle United 2
Wilfried Bony netted his first goal in his eight games for Swansea this season (all comps) after netting 25 in 48 games for the Swans in 2013-14.
Gylfi Sigurdsson now has six assists this season, after previously providing seven assists in 76 Premier League games.
Bony's goal was Swansea's first in the Premier League this season to come from a striker.
Bony has now netted three goals in two Premier League matches against the Magpies.
Papiss Cisse has now netted four goals in his three Premier League visits to Liberty Stadium.
He has also now scored more league goals this season (3) than in the whole of 2013-14 (2).
This was also Cisse's sixth Premier League brace and his second double against Swansea.
Nine of Wayne Routledge's 10 Premier League goals for Swansea have come at home.
Sammy Ameobi's assist was only his second in the Premier League, coming almost two years after his first (v West Brom 28/10/12).
The Magpies have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games, shipping a total of 16 goals in those games.
Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2
Yaya Toure has scored in his last three Premier League games against Aston Villa.
In fact, Yaya Toure's last goal before this was against Aston Villa in May 2014, ending a run of six Premier League games without scoring.
Sergio Aguero has netted three goals in three Premier League games against the Villans.
Aguero has found the net 11 times in his last 13 away games, and in each of his last five on the road.
It took 47 minutes for either side to register a shot on target in this match.
Villa had one shot on target in the whole match. They have managed just 10 shots on target in the league this season, 11 fewer than anyone else.
Manchester City have lost just one of their last 17 Premier League away games (W12 D4 L1).
Manuel Pellegrini's side have scored at least twice in their last seven Premier League away games.
Villa have failed to score in five of the last six Premier League games against City.
Manchester United 2 Everton 1
Ángel Di María has had a hand in six goals in his five Premier League appearances (three goals and three assists).
Juan Mata has been involved in 10 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances (eight goals and two assists).
Manchester United have scored 86 Premier League goals against Everton, the most by a team against a single opponent (second most is Arsenal's 85 against Everton).
United had nine attempts - three on target, four off target and two blocked - at goal before Everton recorded their first, in the 39th minute.
Leighton Baines failed to score a Premier League penalty for the first time - he has scored 14 and missed one.
Baines failed to score from the spot for the first time in all competitions since October 26, 2011, in a League Cup match against Chelsea.
Baines has provided three assists this season, just one fewer than he did in the whole of 2013-14.
Baines has provided more assists (3) and has also created more chances (16) than any other defender in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils have conceded seven penalties in 2014, more than any other team. They did not concede any in 2013.
Manchester United have kept two clean sheets in their last 10 Premier League matches.
James Wilson became the 30th player used by United this season, more than any other team.
United used 30 players in the whole of the 2013-14 season - only in 2008/09 (33) and 2011/12 (31) have United used more players in a season than 30.
Steven Naismith has scored with four of his five shots on target this term.
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Southampton 0
Tottenham have won their last five Premier League games against Southampton after losing four of the preceding five meetings.
Christian Eriksen has scored more Premier League goals against Southampton than any other team (three).
Eriksen's last three Premier League goals have been right-footed - only one of his first six goals were right-footed.
Nacer Chadli has been involved in five (four goals, one assist) of Tottenham's nine Premier League goals this season.
Danny Rose made six interceptions in this game, the most by a Spurs player in a Premier League game this term.
Spurs completed only 274 passes in this game - they have only completed fewer in two of their 23 Premier League home games since the start of last season.
Southampton failed to score in a Premier League away game for the second time in their last 17 trips.
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
Diego Costa scored his ninth goal in his seventh Premier League appearance. The only player to score more in their first seven Premier League appearances is Mick Quinn (10 in 1992).
Four of Diego Costa's nine goals this season have been assisted by Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas now has seven assists in the Premier League this season for Chelsea, equalling the most that a Chelsea player had in the PL in 2013-14 (Hazard - seven).
Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition (W7 D5 L0).
Arsenal have won just two of their last 12 league clashes with Chelsea (D2 L8).
Chelsea have kept four clean sheets in their last six clashes with Arsenal, conceding just two goals in total.
Since he made his Premier League debut, Laurent Koscielny has given away more penalties than any other player in the competition (seven).
Hazard has scored all seven of his Premier League penalties. Of players with 100% records, only Dimitar Berbatov (9/9) has scored more.
Arsenal have lost three successive league away games at Stamford Bridge for the first time since August 1970 (five defeats).
This is Arsenal's second worst league start to a season under Arsene Wenger (10 points from seven games) - the worst being 2011-12 (seven points from seven games).
Arsenal failed to have a shot on target for the first time in a Premier League match since September 2003 (Manchester United away).
West Ham United 2 Queens Park Rangers 0
West Ham have scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team this Premier League season (six).
Diafra Sakho is the first West Ham player to score in four consecutive Premier League games since Carlton Cole (five) in the 2008-09 campaign.
Sakho has scored in all five starts he has made for West Ham in all competitions, with four of these in the Premier League.
The Hammers have won the most corners in this Premier League season (53).
Queens Park Rangers have won one of their last 18 away London derbies in the Premier League (at Chelsea, in January 2013).
QPR have failed to score in nine of their last 13 Premier League fixtures. They have lost 10 of these games.
QPR have kept two clean sheets in their last 20 Premier League matches.
West Ham recorded their second clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League games.
Rio Ferdinand made his 500th Premier League appearance in this match, becoming the 11th player to reach this landmark.
Ferdinand has conceded two fouls and has not been given a single card in his last 36 Premier League appearances.
QPR have have faced 40 shots on target this Premier League - the joint-most with Leicester City.
Angel Di Maria's impact, Jordan Henderson's creativity and Laurent Koscielny's clumsiness feature in our review of the weekend's statistics.
We look at the statistics from a Premier League weekend which saw Chelsea move two points further clear at the summit with a 2-0 win over Arsenal, with Manchester City climbing above Southampton into second after winning at Aston Villa.
Manchester United go into the international break fourth after a third straight home success, while QPR slipped to the bottom as they lost at West Brom but both Burnley and Newcastle picked up a point.
Hull City 2 Crystal Palace 0
Mohamed Diame has scored three goals in four Premier League games for Hull City, the same total he managed in his last 25 games for West Ham.
The Tigers ended a run of five games without a league win at the KC Stadium (W1 D2 L3).
Hull's win also ended a run of eight league games without a win against Crystal Palace (D4 L4).
Nikica Jelavic has scored four Premier League goals already this season, the same total he managed in the competition last term.
Crystal Palace have conceded at least twice in four of their last five away league games.
Steve Bruce's side kept their first clean sheet on home soil since April (1-0 v Swansea).
The Tigers scored with both shots on target in this game.
Leicester City 2 Burnley 2
Jeffrey Schlupp scored his first Premier League goal and his first goal in any competition since New Year's Day (v Millwall).
Burnley have only kept one clean sheet in 23 Premier League away games.
Michael Kightly's goal ended Burnley's run of 565 minutes without a league goal; it was the 10th longest in Premier League history.
Leicester City have scored more home goals than any other Premier League team this season (10).
Ross Wallace's last-gasp equaliser was the latest scored in the Premier League this term (95:15).
Leicester have won five and lost none of the last eight league meetings with Burnley.
Nigel Pearson's side have lost just one of their last 19 league games on home soil (W12 D6 L1). They have scored in every game in that 19-match run.
Burnley scored as many goals in this game as they had in their last five Premier League away games combined (2).
Liverpool 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Only four Premier League players have made more assists than Jordan Henderson (10) since the start of last season.
Adam Lallana scored his first Premier League goal since March 29, ending a run of 189 days without one.
Against no side has Lallana scored more Premier League goals than he has against West Bromwich Albion (2, level with Newcastle and Tottenham).
Saido Berahino has already equalled his Premier League tally from last season (5).
The Reds have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 Premier League matches and are without a shutout in seven at Anfield.
Since the start of last season, Liverpool have scored 56 PL goals via English players, 15 more than any other team.
Sunderland 3 Stoke City 1
Connor Wickham's goal was his first in his last 10 Premier League appearances.
Stoke have kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 away PL matches.
Charlie Adam has now netted three goals against Sunderland in the Premier League; against no side has scored more.
Victor Moses has provided an assist in each of his last three PL apps, the first time the Nigerian international has ever done this.
Steven Fletcher's goals were his first in his last 14 games for the Black Cats in all competitions.
Fletcher has now both scored and provided an assist in five Premier League games.
The Scottish striker's goals came from his only two shots of the game.
This was the Potters' first away defeat in their last six Premier League games on the road.
This victory for the Black Cats was their first win in the top division in eight games.
This is only the second time in their last 21 Premier League games where Sunderland have netted more than two goals.
Sunderland scored with all their three of their shots (not incl. blocked).
Swansea City 2 Newcastle United 2
Wilfried Bony netted his first goal in his eight games for Swansea this season (all comps) after netting 25 in 48 games for the Swans in 2013-14.
Gylfi Sigurdsson now has six assists this season, after previously providing seven assists in 76 Premier League games.
Bony's goal was Swansea's first in the Premier League this season to come from a striker.
Bony has now netted three goals in two Premier League matches against the Magpies.
Papiss Cisse has now netted four goals in his three Premier League visits to Liberty Stadium.
He has also now scored more league goals this season (3) than in the whole of 2013-14 (2).
This was also Cisse's sixth Premier League brace and his second double against Swansea.
Nine of Wayne Routledge's 10 Premier League goals for Swansea have come at home.
Sammy Ameobi's assist was only his second in the Premier League, coming almost two years after his first (v West Brom 28/10/12).
The Magpies have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight Premier League games, shipping a total of 16 goals in those games.
Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 2
Yaya Toure has scored in his last three Premier League games against Aston Villa.
In fact, Yaya Toure's last goal before this was against Aston Villa in May 2014, ending a run of six Premier League games without scoring.
Sergio Aguero has netted three goals in three Premier League games against the Villans.
Aguero has found the net 11 times in his last 13 away games, and in each of his last five on the road.
It took 47 minutes for either side to register a shot on target in this match.
Villa had one shot on target in the whole match. They have managed just 10 shots on target in the league this season, 11 fewer than anyone else.
Manchester City have lost just one of their last 17 Premier League away games (W12 D4 L1).
Manuel Pellegrini's side have scored at least twice in their last seven Premier League away games.
Villa have failed to score in five of the last six Premier League games against City.
Manchester United 2 Everton 1
Ángel Di María has had a hand in six goals in his five Premier League appearances (three goals and three assists).
Juan Mata has been involved in 10 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances (eight goals and two assists).
Manchester United have scored 86 Premier League goals against Everton, the most by a team against a single opponent (second most is Arsenal's 85 against Everton).
United had nine attempts - three on target, four off target and two blocked - at goal before Everton recorded their first, in the 39th minute.
Leighton Baines failed to score a Premier League penalty for the first time - he has scored 14 and missed one.
Baines failed to score from the spot for the first time in all competitions since October 26, 2011, in a League Cup match against Chelsea.
Baines has provided three assists this season, just one fewer than he did in the whole of 2013-14.
Baines has provided more assists (3) and has also created more chances (16) than any other defender in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils have conceded seven penalties in 2014, more than any other team. They did not concede any in 2013.
Manchester United have kept two clean sheets in their last 10 Premier League matches.
James Wilson became the 30th player used by United this season, more than any other team.
United used 30 players in the whole of the 2013-14 season - only in 2008/09 (33) and 2011/12 (31) have United used more players in a season than 30.
Steven Naismith has scored with four of his five shots on target this term.
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Southampton 0
Tottenham have won their last five Premier League games against Southampton after losing four of the preceding five meetings.
Christian Eriksen has scored more Premier League goals against Southampton than any other team (three).
Eriksen's last three Premier League goals have been right-footed - only one of his first six goals were right-footed.
Nacer Chadli has been involved in five (four goals, one assist) of Tottenham's nine Premier League goals this season.
Danny Rose made six interceptions in this game, the most by a Spurs player in a Premier League game this term.
Spurs completed only 274 passes in this game - they have only completed fewer in two of their 23 Premier League home games since the start of last season.
Southampton failed to score in a Premier League away game for the second time in their last 17 trips.
Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0
Diego Costa scored his ninth goal in his seventh Premier League appearance. The only player to score more in their first seven Premier League appearances is Mick Quinn (10 in 1992).
Four of Diego Costa's nine goals this season have been assisted by Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas now has seven assists in the Premier League this season for Chelsea, equalling the most that a Chelsea player had in the PL in 2013-14 (Hazard - seven).
Jose Mourinho has never lost as an opposition coach against Arsene Wenger in any competition (W7 D5 L0).
Arsenal have won just two of their last 12 league clashes with Chelsea (D2 L8).
Chelsea have kept four clean sheets in their last six clashes with Arsenal, conceding just two goals in total.
Since he made his Premier League debut, Laurent Koscielny has given away more penalties than any other player in the competition (seven).
Hazard has scored all seven of his Premier League penalties. Of players with 100% records, only Dimitar Berbatov (9/9) has scored more.
Arsenal have lost three successive league away games at Stamford Bridge for the first time since August 1970 (five defeats).
This is Arsenal's second worst league start to a season under Arsene Wenger (10 points from seven games) - the worst being 2011-12 (seven points from seven games).
Arsenal failed to have a shot on target for the first time in a Premier League match since September 2003 (Manchester United away).
West Ham United 2 Queens Park Rangers 0
West Ham have scored more goals from set-pieces than any other team this Premier League season (six).
Diafra Sakho is the first West Ham player to score in four consecutive Premier League games since Carlton Cole (five) in the 2008-09 campaign.
Sakho has scored in all five starts he has made for West Ham in all competitions, with four of these in the Premier League.
The Hammers have won the most corners in this Premier League season (53).
Queens Park Rangers have won one of their last 18 away London derbies in the Premier League (at Chelsea, in January 2013).
QPR have failed to score in nine of their last 13 Premier League fixtures. They have lost 10 of these games.
QPR have kept two clean sheets in their last 20 Premier League matches.
West Ham recorded their second clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League games.
Rio Ferdinand made his 500th Premier League appearance in this match, becoming the 11th player to reach this landmark.
Ferdinand has conceded two fouls and has not been given a single card in his last 36 Premier League appearances.
QPR have have faced 40 shots on target this Premier League - the joint-most with Leicester City.
Italy coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to again omit Mario Balotelli from the national team.
The Liverpool striker was overlooked by Conte in his first squad selection last month and Conte feels the ex-Manchester City striker needs more time to focus adjusting to life at Liverpool.
Balotelli, who played for Italy at the World Cup in Brazil, has now also been left out of the Azzurri's 26-man roster for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
"Mario has started a new path," Conte said in Monday's press conference. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool.
"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad.
"I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different."
Balotelli, who was left out of Liverpool's starting XI against West Brom at the weekend, moved to Anfield from AC Milan this summer.
One player competing in the Premier League that has made Conte's squad is Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
Pelle has been in sizzling form since joining the Saints in July from Dutch side Feyenoord, and has earned his first-call up to the senior team.
The 29-year-old has scored four goals and set up one more in seven Premier League appearances so far.
"Graziano represents what I've always said," Conte said. "Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player that in two years has scored 50 goals.
"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League league after an adventure in Holland.
"I am curious to see him from close range in order to understand if he can help us.
"He deserved this call up from all points of view."
Conte has told his players he will not allow any conflicts that may arise from Serie A rivalries to affect the national team.
Juve, whom Conte led to three-straight league titles before leaving the Turin outfit this summer to accept the Italy post, edged Roma 3-2 on Sunday in a top-of-the table showdown.
The game in Turin was tense, with three penalties awarded, two players sent off and Roma coach Rudi Garcia given his marching orders.
Six Juve players have been included in Italy's squad while Roma's Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi are also in Conte's latest selection.
"I have told my players what I have said in the past," Conte said. "Issues regarding the league must be left outside the changing room.
"We all have to work towards one mission, that of the national team.
"My task is to qualify the national team to the European Championship.
"We want to achieve that by playing good attacking football.
"We want to play the style of football of a team that always wants to take the initiative regardless of who we face.
"My aim is for this national team to have a winning mentality.
"Back in September I was pleasantly surprised by the positive approach of all the members in the group.
"I hope and I'm certain that I will find the same determination this time around."
Italy put behind them their first round elimination from the World Cup when they began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win at Norway last month.
The Azzurri take on Group H rivals Azerbaijan at Palermo's Renzo Barbera stadium on Friday before travelling to Ta'Qali to face Malta on October 13.
Italy coach Antonio Conte has defended his decision to again omit Mario Balotelli from the national team.
The Liverpool striker was overlooked by Conte in his first squad selection last month and Conte feels the ex-Manchester City striker needs more time to focus adjusting to life at Liverpool.
Balotelli, who played for Italy at the World Cup in Brazil, has now also been left out of the Azzurri's 26-man roster for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
"Mario has started a new path," Conte said in Monday's press conference. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool.
"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad.
"I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different."
Balotelli, who was left out of Liverpool's starting XI against West Brom at the weekend, moved to Anfield from AC Milan this summer.
One player competing in the Premier League that has made Conte's squad is Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
Pelle has been in sizzling form since joining the Saints in July from Dutch side Feyenoord, and has earned his first-call up to the senior team.
The 29-year-old has scored four goals and set up one more in seven Premier League appearances so far.
"Graziano represents what I've always said," Conte said. "Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player that in two years has scored 50 goals.
"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League league after an adventure in Holland.
"I am curious to see him from close range in order to understand if he can help us.
"He deserved this call up from all points of view."
Conte has told his players he will not allow any conflicts that may arise from Serie A rivalries to affect the national team.
Juve, whom Conte led to three-straight league titles before leaving the Turin outfit this summer to accept the Italy post, edged Roma 3-2 on Sunday in a top-of-the table showdown.
The game in Turin was tense, with three penalties awarded, two players sent off and Roma coach Rudi Garcia given his marching orders.
Six Juve players have been included in Italy's squad while Roma's Mattia Destro and Alessandro Florenzi are also in Conte's latest selection.
"I have told my players what I have said in the past," Conte said. "Issues regarding the league must be left outside the changing room.
"We all have to work towards one mission, that of the national team.
"My task is to qualify the national team to the European Championship.
"We want to achieve that by playing good attacking football.
"We want to play the style of football of a team that always wants to take the initiative regardless of who we face.
"My aim is for this national team to have a winning mentality.
"Back in September I was pleasantly surprised by the positive approach of all the members in the group.
"I hope and I'm certain that I will find the same determination this time around."
Italy put behind them their first round elimination from the World Cup when they began their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win at Norway last month.
The Azzurri take on Group H rivals Azerbaijan at Palermo's Renzo Barbera stadium on Friday before travelling to Ta'Qali to face Malta on October 13.
Mark Holmes blasts Arsene Wenger's Chelsea comments, denies Steven Gerrard is Liverpool's main problem but reckons Ross Barkley is Everton's.
Excuses have run out for Wenger
Only those lacking a sense of humour will have failed to chuckle when Arsene Wenger pushed Jose Mourinho on the touchline on Sunday, and only the most easily-offended would want to see the 64-year-old punished by the Football Association.
Pushing players and officials is one thing (note to Alan Pardew), but a bit of handbags between two managers can be laughed off. As long as it doesn't descend into something more serious like eye-gouging, of course (note to Mourinho).
It would be remiss of me not to mention that, having left his technical area to remonstrate about a nasty Gary Cahill tackle on Alexis Sanchez, Wenger remained rather more statuesque after an equally bad challenge from Danny Welbeck on Cesc Fabregas later in the game, but it was the Frenchman's post-match comments about Chelsea's "financial power" that will have irked Arsenal fans.
"They used it in a very efficient way when they had the chances, Wenger said. "Their individual players who can make the difference made the difference - Hazard and Costa."
Given that Arsenal have been at pains to point out their own 'escalation in financial firepower', and considering the Gunners have spent over £70million on two of their own difference-makers, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, in the past two years, surely that particular bit of moral high ground has now disappeared for Wenger?
Arsenal are now competing with Europe's top clubs in the transfer market, and excuses have run out for them not to compete with those clubs on the pitch, too. Unfortunately, routine defeats against Borussia Dortmund and now Chelsea suggests that is some way from being the case.
The north Londoners are definitely getting stronger by the year and should have more than enough to once again secure a Champions League spot, but they look no more likely to mount a serious title challenge this season than at any other point during their drought.
Regardless of the varying difficulties of their fixture lists so far, the fact that they sit a point behind a Manchester United team apparently in crisis is a pretty damning indictment of their start. And United have the excuse of 'transition'.
So too do Liverpool and Tottenham, but Bacary Sagna is the only first-team regular that Arsenal have lost in two years. They should be capitalising on other teams' uncertainty to firmly establish themselves in the top three alongside Chelsea and Manchester City, but instead they find themselves down in eighth going into the second international break.
It may be too early to pay any real attention to the table, but one suspects Arsenal's start is a definite sign of what we can expect from them in the Premier League this season.
Gerrard not the problem at Liverpool
Very little in football is black and white, but there seems to be a desire, in the English press at least, to label players as either brilliant or awful.
Steven Gerrard is a fine case in point. There was much eulogising about the role he played in Liverpool's push for the Premier League title last season, but an unconvincing start to this campaign has seen many journalists pinpoint the Reds skipper as the problem to explain their defensive woes.
There has been an amusing amount of flip-flapping regarding the 34-year-old. One minute he is a talisman, the next he is a liability.
The truth, of course, is that he retains many of the same strengths and weaknesses that have always been present in his game. His set-piece ability certainly has not waned, and he is still capable of picking a perfect pass from 60 yards, but he still sometimes attempts the spectacular when the simple will do, while holding his position has always been an issue for a player that likes to be the match-winner.
None of that is unlikely to change during the twilight years of Gerrard's career, and perhaps criticism should be aimed at Rodgers for not signing a more orthodox central midfielder over the summer given these same defensive problems were existent last season.
However, everybody in the media agreed that Gerrard affected a definite overall net gain on the team from a deep position during the Reds' title charge so it is remarkable that, just seven games later, so many now believe he needs permanently moving or removing altogether if the Merseysiders are to make the Champions League again.
The reasons for their inconsistent start are, of course, much more obvious. They lost their best player, Luis Suarez over the summer, while their other main attacking threat, Daniel Sturridge, has been injured. Either coincidentally or as a result of the duo's absence, Raheem Sterling's form has also dropped off.
Furthermore, three quarters of the first-choice defence has been changed, while several new midfield and forward players have also been added to the mix. One of those in particular, Mario Balotelli, has hardly hit the ground running.
There is no doubt that there are weaknesses in Gerrard's game, but to pinpoint him as the main reason for their early failings after so much change and upheaval is quite remarkable.
Barkley key to Everton
It might sound obvious but, as Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett pointed out in one of his recent columns for TEAMtalk, every team needs players that can turn a game.
Much is said about Barcelona's tiki-taka style, but it is Lionel Messi that makes them special. Real Madrid would not be half as an effective counter-attacking team did they not have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, while Eden Hazard's run to win Chelsea a penalty against Arsenal on Sunday perfectly highlighted how a closely-fought game can be decided by a moment of magic from one special player.
No matter how good a manager or their tactics are, it is players that win football matches. Of course Liverpool were going to struggle to win them quite so easily following the sale of Suarez, just as Spurs did after the departure of Gareth Bale.
Everton's disappointing start, meanwhile, proves just how important Ross Barkley has become to their cause.
The 20-year-old's injury may not provide an obvious explanation to the Toffees' defensive problems, but it should not be underestimated how much a player capable of running with the ball benefits a side in that respect.
The benefit such a player provides in an attacking sense is much more obvious, of course. It is certainly unlikely Romelu Lukaku's poor form in Barkley's absence is a coincidence, albeit the Belgian's seeming disinterest during Sunday's defeat at Manchester United cannot be excused.
However, the likelihood is that Everton's form will miraculously pick up once Barkley returns to action, just as Liverpool's will once Sturridge is back in the fold.
Expect then plenty of articles about how Roberto Martinez has resolved the Toffees' defensive problems, and how Rodgers has solved the Gerrard conundrum.
Final thoughts
This column cannot pass without mentioning the ridiculous penalty Michael Oliver awarded to West Brom at Anfield on Saturday, or the fact that Roy Hodgson again overlooked a clutch of proven Premier League defenders to call up Calum Chambers, whose lack of experience and inconsistency was again showed up during a poor display against Chelsea on Sunday.
Well done, fellas.
Mark Holmes blasts Arsene Wenger's Chelsea comments, denies Steven Gerrard is Liverpool's main problem but reckons Ross Barkley is Everton's.
Excuses have run out for Wenger
Only those lacking a sense of humour will have failed to chuckle when Arsene Wenger pushed Jose Mourinho on the touchline on Sunday, and only the most easily-offended would want to see the 64-year-old punished by the Football Association.
Pushing players and officials is one thing (note to Alan Pardew), but a bit of handbags between two managers can be laughed off. As long as it doesn't descend into something more serious like eye-gouging, of course (note to Mourinho).
It would be remiss of me not to mention that, having left his technical area to remonstrate about a nasty Gary Cahill tackle on Alexis Sanchez, Wenger remained rather more statuesque after an equally bad challenge from Danny Welbeck on Cesc Fabregas later in the game, but it was the Frenchman's post-match comments about Chelsea's "financial power" that will have irked Arsenal fans.
"They used it in a very efficient way when they had the chances, Wenger said. "Their individual players who can make the difference made the difference - Hazard and Costa."
Given that Arsenal have been at pains to point out their own 'escalation in financial firepower', and considering the Gunners have spent over £70million on two of their own difference-makers, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, in the past two years, surely that particular bit of moral high ground has now disappeared for Wenger?
Arsenal are now competing with Europe's top clubs in the transfer market, and excuses have run out for them not to compete with those clubs on the pitch, too. Unfortunately, routine defeats against Borussia Dortmund and now Chelsea suggests that is some way from being the case.
The north Londoners are definitely getting stronger by the year and should have more than enough to once again secure a Champions League spot, but they look no more likely to mount a serious title challenge this season than at any other point during their drought.
Regardless of the varying difficulties of their fixture lists so far, the fact that they sit a point behind a Manchester United team apparently in crisis is a pretty damning indictment of their start. And United have the excuse of 'transition'.
So too do Liverpool and Tottenham, but Bacary Sagna is the only first-team regular that Arsenal have lost in two years. They should be capitalising on other teams' uncertainty to firmly establish themselves in the top three alongside Chelsea and Manchester City, but instead they find themselves down in eighth going into the second international break.
It may be too early to pay any real attention to the table, but one suspects Arsenal's start is a definite sign of what we can expect from them in the Premier League this season.
Gerrard not the problem at Liverpool
Very little in football is black and white, but there seems to be a desire, in the English press at least, to label players as either brilliant or awful.
Steven Gerrard is a fine case in point. There was much eulogising about the role he played in Liverpool's push for the Premier League title last season, but an unconvincing start to this campaign has seen many journalists pinpoint the Reds skipper as the problem to explain their defensive woes.
There has been an amusing amount of flip-flapping regarding the 34-year-old. One minute he is a talisman, the next he is a liability.
The truth, of course, is that he retains many of the same strengths and weaknesses that have always been present in his game. His set-piece ability certainly has not waned, and he is still capable of picking a perfect pass from 60 yards, but he still sometimes attempts the spectacular when the simple will do, while holding his position has always been an issue for a player that likes to be the match-winner.
None of that is unlikely to change during the twilight years of Gerrard's career, and perhaps criticism should be aimed at Rodgers for not signing a more orthodox central midfielder over the summer given these same defensive problems were existent last season.
However, everybody in the media agreed that Gerrard affected a definite overall net gain on the team from a deep position during the Reds' title charge so it is remarkable that, just seven games later, so many now believe he needs permanently moving or removing altogether if the Merseysiders are to make the Champions League again.
The reasons for their inconsistent start are, of course, much more obvious. They lost their best player, Luis Suarez over the summer, while their other main attacking threat, Daniel Sturridge, has been injured. Either coincidentally or as a result of the duo's absence, Raheem Sterling's form has also dropped off.
Furthermore, three quarters of the first-choice defence has been changed, while several new midfield and forward players have also been added to the mix. One of those in particular, Mario Balotelli, has hardly hit the ground running.
There is no doubt that there are weaknesses in Gerrard's game, but to pinpoint him as the main reason for their early failings after so much change and upheaval is quite remarkable.
Barkley key to Everton
It might sound obvious but, as Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett pointed out in one of his recent columns for TEAMtalk, every team needs players that can turn a game.
Much is said about Barcelona's tiki-taka style, but it is Lionel Messi that makes them special. Real Madrid would not be half as an effective counter-attacking team did they not have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, while Eden Hazard's run to win Chelsea a penalty against Arsenal on Sunday perfectly highlighted how a closely-fought game can be decided by a moment of magic from one special player.
No matter how good a manager or their tactics are, it is players that win football matches. Of course Liverpool were going to struggle to win them quite so easily following the sale of Suarez, just as Spurs did after the departure of Gareth Bale.
Everton's disappointing start, meanwhile, proves just how important Ross Barkley has become to their cause.
The 20-year-old's injury may not provide an obvious explanation to the Toffees' defensive problems, but it should not be underestimated how much a player capable of running with the ball benefits a side in that respect.
The benefit such a player provides in an attacking sense is much more obvious, of course. It is certainly unlikely Romelu Lukaku's poor form in Barkley's absence is a coincidence, albeit the Belgian's seeming disinterest during Sunday's defeat at Manchester United cannot be excused.
However, the likelihood is that Everton's form will miraculously pick up once Barkley returns to action, just as Liverpool's will once Sturridge is back in the fold.
Expect then plenty of articles about how Roberto Martinez has resolved the Toffees' defensive problems, and how Rodgers has solved the Gerrard conundrum.
Final thoughts
This column cannot pass without mentioning the ridiculous penalty Michael Oliver awarded to West Brom at Anfield on Saturday, or the fact that Roy Hodgson again overlooked a clutch of proven Premier League defenders to call up Calum Chambers, whose lack of experience and inconsistency was again showed up during a poor display against Chelsea on Sunday.
Well done, fellas.
Jordan Henderson is growing into the role of Liverpool vice-captain but admits there will not be many repeats of him bellowing orders at his skipper Steven Gerrard.
Late in Saturday's 2-1 win at home to West Brom the Reds captain received the ball deep on the right flank and was instructed by Henderson, several yards behind him, to keep it in the corner and see out the game.
Gerrard ignored him and tried to play in striker Mario Balotelli for what would have been the goal which finished the contest and while it did not quite come off the episode showed why Henderson has been identified to take over the armband once the club's talisman has retired.
"I don't think I'll do that too many times," said Henderson, who scored the winner after Saido Berahino's disputed penalty had cancelled out Adam Lallana's first goal for his new club.
"I was just telling him to keep it in the corner but I think he saw a pass to maybe score another goal.
"I learn a lot from Stevie. That was a pressure moment in the game and I thought we should keep it in the corner but to be fair it was a great pass into the box and we could have scored as well."
Henderson may be the captain elect but Gerrard is still the driving force in the dressing room, so when he was so outspoken after the disappointing Champions League defeat in Basle in midweek the players could not fail to take notice.
"He is our leader and captain and we look up to him but we knew as individuals we hadn't played well as a team or individuals," added the 24-year-old.
"You don't need anyone to tell you and we were sat in the changing room afterwards saying 'That wasn't good enough'.
"We all knew that we were far too soft away from home. We still should have got something out of the game and that is what we need to be better at."
It was why the victory over West Brom, Liverpool's first in four league matches, was so important with an international break coming up.
"It was important to get back to winning games and I thought we showed good character to go on and win the game, especially when it went to 1-1," added Henderson.
"It was a good three points and hopefully we can kick on now.
"I felt last week we did enough, we were better than Everton and should have won, but that's football - it's hard sometimes.
"We had to take than on the chin and it was important to get the win this week.
"It was an improved performance but I think our performances can be better - but the performance was good last week and we didn't get three points so this was all about the win."
Jordan Henderson is growing into the role of Liverpool vice-captain but admits there will not be many repeats of him bellowing orders at his skipper Steven Gerrard.
Late in Saturday's 2-1 win at home to West Brom the Reds captain received the ball deep on the right flank and was instructed by Henderson, several yards behind him, to keep it in the corner and see out the game.
Gerrard ignored him and tried to play in striker Mario Balotelli for what would have been the goal which finished the contest and while it did not quite come off the episode showed why Henderson has been identified to take over the armband once the club's talisman has retired.
"I don't think I'll do that too many times," said Henderson, who scored the winner after Saido Berahino's disputed penalty had cancelled out Adam Lallana's first goal for his new club.
"I was just telling him to keep it in the corner but I think he saw a pass to maybe score another goal.
"I learn a lot from Stevie. That was a pressure moment in the game and I thought we should keep it in the corner but to be fair it was a great pass into the box and we could have scored as well."
Henderson may be the captain elect but Gerrard is still the driving force in the dressing room, so when he was so outspoken after the disappointing Champions League defeat in Basle in midweek the players could not fail to take notice.
"He is our leader and captain and we look up to him but we knew as individuals we hadn't played well as a team or individuals," added the 24-year-old.
"You don't need anyone to tell you and we were sat in the changing room afterwards saying 'That wasn't good enough'.
"We all knew that we were far too soft away from home. We still should have got something out of the game and that is what we need to be better at."
It was why the victory over West Brom, Liverpool's first in four league matches, was so important with an international break coming up.
"It was important to get back to winning games and I thought we showed good character to go on and win the game, especially when it went to 1-1," added Henderson.
"It was a good three points and hopefully we can kick on now.
"I felt last week we did enough, we were better than Everton and should have won, but that's football - it's hard sometimes.
"We had to take than on the chin and it was important to get the win this week.
"It was an improved performance but I think our performances can be better - but the performance was good last week and we didn't get three points so this was all about the win."
Last week saw Jamie Carragher criticise the agent of Raheem Sterling for pushing a story that his client was in “no rush” to sign a new contract at Liverpool.
The former Liverpool centre-back wrote on Twitter “Message to Raheem Sterling agent, shut up feeding stories about his contract.”
Reports on Monday now claim talks over a new deal have already begun, and that three more appearances for the club will activate a clause in his contract.
Sterling’s current contract was signed in 2012 and runs to 2017, with a base salary of £30,000 plus substantial bonuses additionally.
Reports explain that once the 19-year-old has made 90 appearances for the club, it automatically triggers discussions over a new deal.
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph explains: “Sterling played his 87th Liverpool game on Saturday but Ian Ayre, the chief executive, made an initial approach to the player’s agents two weeks ago and a meeting will be held early shortly.”
Brendan Rodgers is quoted in The Daily Mail commenting:
“It’s not a big issue for us. Ian Ayre has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed. The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm and the boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.
His agent is a good agent and he understands this is the perfect place for him.”
So there you have it, Liverpool appear relaxed and to have the situation under control.
.
Last week saw Jamie Carragher criticise the agent of Raheem Sterling for pushing a story that his client was in “no rush” to sign a new contract at Liverpool.
The former Liverpool centre-back wrote on Twitter “Message to Raheem Sterling agent, shut up feeding stories about his contract.”
Reports on Monday now claim talks over a new deal have already begun, and that three more appearances for the club will activate a clause in his contract.
Sterling’s current contract was signed in 2012 and runs to 2017, with a base salary of £30,000 plus substantial bonuses additionally.
Reports explain that once the 19-year-old has made 90 appearances for the club, it automatically triggers discussions over a new deal.
Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph explains: “Sterling played his 87th Liverpool game on Saturday but Ian Ayre, the chief executive, made an initial approach to the player’s agents two weeks ago and a meeting will be held early shortly.”
Brendan Rodgers is quoted in The Daily Mail commenting:
“It’s not a big issue for us. Ian Ayre has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed. The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm and the boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.
His agent is a good agent and he understands this is the perfect place for him.”
So there you have it, Liverpool appear relaxed and to have the situation under control.
.
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is reportedly to begin a trial at Liverpool ahead of a proposed free transfer move.
The Sunday Express claim Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is “desperate” to sign the experienced Spanish stopper.
Valdes’ agent was, according to The Daily Mail, at Anfield on Saturday to witness the nervy 2-1 win over West Brom.
The 32-year-old, six times La Liga and three times Champions League winner, is available on a free transfer after leaving Barcelona when his contract expired in the summer. That means he is free to join The Reds any time – but will need to prove his fitness first after suffering an ACL injury back in March.
Valdes would provide much needed competition for under pressure Simon Mignolet, while also adding vital experience – especially in Europe – to Rodgers’ youthful squad.
Comfortable with the ball at his feet in particular, the free transfer signing of Valdes would appear to be quite a coup for the club and you can see why Rodgers would be so keen to sign him.
What do you think of Valdes’ potential arrival? Let us know in the comments below.
.
Former Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes is reportedly to begin a trial at Liverpool ahead of a proposed free transfer move.
The Sunday Express claim Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is “desperate” to sign the experienced Spanish stopper.
Valdes’ agent was, according to The Daily Mail, at Anfield on Saturday to witness the nervy 2-1 win over West Brom.
The 32-year-old, six times La Liga and three times Champions League winner, is available on a free transfer after leaving Barcelona when his contract expired in the summer. That means he is free to join The Reds any time – but will need to prove his fitness first after suffering an ACL injury back in March.
Valdes would provide much needed competition for under pressure Simon Mignolet, while also adding vital experience – especially in Europe – to Rodgers’ youthful squad.
Comfortable with the ball at his feet in particular, the free transfer signing of Valdes would appear to be quite a coup for the club and you can see why Rodgers would be so keen to sign him.
What do you think of Valdes’ potential arrival? Let us know in the comments below.
.
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Jordan Henderson is growing into the role of Liverpool vice-captain but admits there will not be many repeats of him bellowing orders at his skipper Steven Gerrard.
Late in Saturday's 2-1 win at home to West Brom the Reds captain received the ball deep on the right flank and was instructed by Henderson, several yards behind him, to keep it in the corner and see out the game.
Gerrard ignored him and tried to play in striker Mario Balotelli for what would have been the goal which finished the contest and while it did not quite come off the episode showed why Henderson has been identified to take over the armband once the club's talisman has retired.
"I don't think I'll do that too many times," said Henderson, who scored the winner after Saido Berahino's disputed penalty had cancelled out Adam Lallana's first goal for his new club.
"I was just telling him to keep it in the corner but I think he saw a pass to maybe score another goal.
"I learn a lot from Stevie. That was a pressure moment in the game and I thought we should keep it in the corner but to be fair it was a great pass into the box and we could have scored as well."
Henderson may be the captain elect but Gerrard is still the driving force in the dressing room, so when he was so outspoken after the disappointing Champions League defeat in Basle in midweek the players could not fail to take notice.
"He is our leader and captain and we look up to him but we knew as individuals we hadn't played well as a team or individuals," added the 24-year-old.
"You don't need anyone to tell you and we were sat in the changing room afterwards saying 'That wasn't good enough'.
"We all knew that we were far too soft away from home. We still should have got something out of the game and that is what we need to be better at."
It was why the victory over West Brom, Liverpool's first in four league matches, was so important with an international break coming up.
"It was important to get back to winning games and I thought we showed good character to go on and win the game, especially when it went to 1-1," added Henderson.
"It was a good three points and hopefully we can kick on now.
"I felt last week we did enough, we were better than Everton and should have won, but that's football - it's hard sometimes.
"We had to take than on the chin and it was important to get the win this week.
"It was an improved performance but I think our performances can be better - but the performance was good last week and we didn't get three points so this was all about the win."
Jordan Henderson is growing into the role of Liverpool vice-captain but admits there will not be many repeats of him bellowing orders at his skipper Steven Gerrard.
Late in Saturday's 2-1 win at home to West Brom the Reds captain received the ball deep on the right flank and was instructed by Henderson, several yards behind him, to keep it in the corner and see out the game.
Gerrard ignored him and tried to play in striker Mario Balotelli for what would have been the goal which finished the contest and while it did not quite come off the episode showed why Henderson has been identified to take over the armband once the club's talisman has retired.
"I don't think I'll do that too many times," said Henderson, who scored the winner after Saido Berahino's disputed penalty had cancelled out Adam Lallana's first goal for his new club.
"I was just telling him to keep it in the corner but I think he saw a pass to maybe score another goal.
"I learn a lot from Stevie. That was a pressure moment in the game and I thought we should keep it in the corner but to be fair it was a great pass into the box and we could have scored as well."
Henderson may be the captain elect but Gerrard is still the driving force in the dressing room, so when he was so outspoken after the disappointing Champions League defeat in Basle in midweek the players could not fail to take notice.
"He is our leader and captain and we look up to him but we knew as individuals we hadn't played well as a team or individuals," added the 24-year-old.
"You don't need anyone to tell you and we were sat in the changing room afterwards saying 'That wasn't good enough'.
"We all knew that we were far too soft away from home. We still should have got something out of the game and that is what we need to be better at."
It was why the victory over West Brom, Liverpool's first in four league matches, was so important with an international break coming up.
"It was important to get back to winning games and I thought we showed good character to go on and win the game, especially when it went to 1-1," added Henderson.
"It was a good three points and hopefully we can kick on now.
"I felt last week we did enough, we were better than Everton and should have won, but that's football - it's hard sometimes.
"We had to take than on the chin and it was important to get the win this week.
"It was an improved performance but I think our performances can be better - but the performance was good last week and we didn't get three points so this was all about the win."
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