Rodgers calls for patience at Palace

Brendan Rodgers says patience is the key to perfecting the attacking style he wants his Liverpool side to play.

The Reds travel to Crystal Palace on Monday aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat by Chelsea that put Manchester City back in charge of the title race.

They face another defensively stubborn team after Jose Mourinho successfully "parked two buses" at Anfield.

"We ran out of patience in the Chelsea game and that's something we will work on," said Liverpool manager Rodgers.

Manchester City lead the Premier League on goal difference from Liverpool, who know their hopes of winning a first league title for 24 years are no longer in their own hands.

Race for the Premier League title Liverpool Chelsea Man City Mon 5 May: Crystal Palace (a) Wed 7 May: Aston Villa (h) Sun 11 May: Newcastle (h) Sun 11 May: Cardiff (a) Sun 11 May: West Ham (h)

Manuel Pellegrini's side need to win two home games against mid-table sides to be virtually certain of being crowned champions for the second time in three seasons because their goal difference is nine better than Liverpool's.

But Rodgers says he is focused only on developing his side's brand of attacking football, with the game against Palace providing an opportunity to work on breaking down another well-drilled defensive opponent.

"We know Crystal Palace are a very strong team. They're well organised and will be super compact in the game - there won't be a lot of spaces," said the 41-year-old.

"Tony Pulis has done an outstanding job. Having come up with a team from the Championship I know first hand how difficult the job is.

"I watched them recently at Everton and they defended really well and have players on the counter-attack who can punish you.

"They have a real spirit amongst them, and keeping them in the league is a great effort. He has really galvanised the team."

Premier League top three Played Goal difference Points 1. Man City 36 +59 80 2. Liverpool 36 +50 80 3. Chelsea 37 +43 79

Rodgers spent three years working under Chelsea boss Mourinho as part of the Blues' coaching staff but he has no intention of adopting his former mentor's more defensive approach.

"One of the beauties of this season is that success has come in a manner that's attuned to the Liverpool way and we aim to play winning football but also to play in a style that's synonymous with this football club," he added.

"For us, it's important to win but to win in a way that we want."

Palace boss Tony Pulis wants his players to relish the challenge of containing Liverpool's prolific forward duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who have scored 50 league goals between them this campaign.

"There's not many occasions where you play against such great players and when you do I think it's more of a challenge and something to look forward to and enjoy - not something to be afraid of," he said.