Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool FC need to tighten up on their travels if they are going to sustain a push for Champions League qualification.

The second-placed Reds have been dominant at Anfield so far this season but have found life tougher on the road ahead of the trip to Tottenham.

They have picked up just two points out of the last 12 away from home and in those four games they have conceded 10 goals.

Rodgers believes the key to improving the away form is sharpening up defensively and he wants that to start at White Hart Lane.

"We haven't defended well enough as a team in our away matches," he told the Liverpool Echo. "We have made mistakes and  that has cost us some cheap goals.

"We were beaten at Arsenal when we didn't play well enough to get a result.

"At Everton we scored three goals and when you score three goals away you should get a victory. Our last away game at  Hull was a disappointing performance.

"Our approach is the same in every game. Whether it's home or away we look to be really aggressive.

"Of course you have to be aware of certain tactical elements away from home as you aren't going to have everything your own way.

"We've gone away and scored goals but we just haven't defended well enough. We know where we need to improve.

"We have to cut out the defensive mistakes. If we do that then we know we have enough ammunition to get goals."

Liverpool head for the capital with confidence high following emphatic home wins over Norwich City and West Ham.

The Reds have yet to win away to a top six club under Rodgers and the manager is desperate to put that right.

He knows if his team can  overcome the loss of skipper  Steven Gerrard and clinch maximum points it would provide the perfect lift as they head into the gruelling festive schedule.

"It's more than just a win if  you can beat a rival in this kind of  game - it gives you that greater  belief," Rodgers added.

"I am confident that we can win these games. We should have won a number of these games away from home last season.

"Certainly in these type of  games where it's going to be tight  you have to ensure you don't  make mistakes. That was  something that cost us in big  games last season when we got in front and then our errors were punished.

"This is a really honest group who always give their best. They came away after the defeat to Hull and reflected that it wasn't  good enough.

"To put in two outstanding performances like they did at Anfield really shows the mentality of the team and we'll look to carry that into this game.

"They are working hard to be  better and we will relish going to Tottenham. We know with the creativity in the team we can go  anywhere and get goals. We just need to make sure we defend well."

Source: Liverpool Echo