Raheem Sterling accepts Liverpool were below the high standards they've set themselves at West Ham on Saturday, but insists they can – and will – cope with the demands of three games a week.

The Reds fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Upton Park to round off a week that had begun with a home reversal to Aston Villa and a hard-fought Champions League tussle with Ludogorets Razgrad at Anfield.

Sterling, however, is adamant the increased fixture schedule isn't an excuse for their form and remains convinced Liverpool will get it right.

"We can't use playing in the Champions League as an excuse because there are other teams in the Premier League doing exactly the same as us who are winning games," said the forward.

"The games are coming thick and fast but that's what we want - to be competing at the top end of the Premier League and in the Champions League.

"What it means now is that after the second recovery day after a game we're straight back into another game. That's the way it's going to be this season and that's something we need to get used to.

"We've got the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Joe Allen to come back from injury but we should be winning games with the players we've got out on that pitch.

"We need to get back to basics and start winning games again."

Liverpool found themselves behind inside 90 seconds in east London when Winston Reid nodded home from close range, before Diafra Sakho doubled West Ham's lead with a finely-executed lob.

Sterling gave the Reds hope with a well-struck volley before half-time, but Morgan Amalfitano's late prod beyond Simon Mignolet rubber stamped a victory for the Hammers.

"I thought we began the game slowly and we were really sloppy," Sterling reflected. "They put two decent balls into the box and we didn't deal with them. On both occasions they scored.

"Going behind so early in the game was tough but once we pulled one back I thought we had a real chance to push for an equaliser and then a winner.

"But the sloppy third goal killed us off. We didn't defend well, it's as simple as that.

"The boys are disappointed but we'll get back to the training field and go again on Tuesday night against Middlesbrough in the League Cup.

"We have definitely got the quality to make the top four. It's down to us to get things right and get back to playing the way we all know we can.

"It's concerning but we have got to put it behind us and go again. Our focus has to turn to the next game now. We need to bounce back."

Liverpool have been without Daniel Sturridge in recent weeks due to injury; however, the striker is nearing a return to action after stepping up his training programme at Melwood.

Sterling feels being able to call upon the services of the 24-year-old will give the Reds a boost.

"Daniel is a massive miss for us with his goals and the way he plays in behind defenders," he said.

"Him coming back should add another dimension to the team. It will definitely be a test of character but I think there is a lot of character in this group."