‘Liverpool duo Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas improving’

Colin Pascoe has backed Liverpool’s Spanish duo Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas to come good after a tough start to their respective Premier League careers.

Aspas, who joined in a £6.7m move from Celta Vigo in the summer, has failed to score in five Premier League starts, although the forward has been hampered by injuries.

He has been working hard; he has to wait his turn like all the strikers do

Colin Pascoe on Iago Aspas

Meanwhile Alberto, 21, has been limited to eight substitute appearances in the top-flight after completing a £6m switch to Anfield from La Liga outfit Sevilla.

However Reds assistant manager Pascoe believes the pair are improving ahead of their clash against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

“Luis has found the pace of the Premier League hard but he and Iago are working well in training and the more they get used to the Premier League the better they get,” Pascoe said.

“Alberto can play in a couple of positions. He can play wide or up front as a nine or as a 10 and if you asked him he would say a 10.

“We can tweak things if we have to and push him up there but we’re not going to put him at nine as we have Luis (Suarez) up there.

“Iago started the season well and obviously had his (thigh) injury. He has been working hard; he has to wait his turn like all the strikers do.

“He did well the other day (against Hull) and with the way he is training he is getting better.

“It is like any player, if they are British or foreign, you hope they gel together quickly but sometimes you need time to adapt to the Premier League.

“They know themselves sometimes they have to be patient.

“With Phil (Coutinho) playing well and Luis (Suarez) and Raheem (Sterling) doing well the team really picks itself on a lot of times.”