Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes the team can look replicate the style of play of Spanish giants Barcelona under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds’ boss received plaudits for leading Swansea to an impressive 11th position in the Premier League table last season while staying true to his passing football philosophy, before switching Wales for Merseyside.

The Northern-Irishman’s former club even earned the nickname ‘Swansealona’ due to their fluid attacking style, and now the left-back thinks the Catalan outfit are a great example for his new side to follow.

“The best team in the world is the best example: Barcelona,” the 26-year-old told ESPN. “You could see against Real Madrid a few days ago, how when they have the ball it is amazing and when they lose it, within three or four seconds they have it back.

“This is the way we try to play. We can’t compare with Barcelona they are different, but we are trying to play like this. We are starting to learn but we are learning well.”

Liverpool have yet to really hit top form under the 39-year-old this season, losing 3-0 to West Brom in their opening game before struggling to overcome Hearts in a Europa League play-off.

However, the Reds were unlucky not to gain all three points at home to reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday, with an individual error from Martin Skrtel handing Carlos Tevez an equaliser.

Enrique insisted that the players need to keep faith in the new system, indicating after time they will successfully adapt into the sort of side that Rodgers is trying to mould.

“I think this is the way we have to play this year,” he added. “Because there is a new manager, we need time, but if we can play like this I think we will get many points. It is like the manager wants.

“He tells us when we lose the ball to press like lions.

“He wants the team, when we have the ball, to try to keep it  but when we don’t have the ball, to do better than when we have it, press and try to take the ball.”

Jack Rodwell believes Manchester City can take several positives from Sunday’s 2-2 draw away at Liverpool despite twice going behind.

The 21-year-old joined the club from Everton for £12 million over the summer, and appeared off the bench in place of Samir Nasri on the hour mark after Roberto Mancini named a back three in his starting line-up.

He told the club’s official website: “It was difficult to adapt to the new system but I think the lads did well.

“In the first 30 minutes we dominated the game and we got back into it in the second half, so we have to take the positives from that.”

Liverpool took the lead in the first half after Martin Skrtel powered a header past goalkeeper Joe Hart, but after Rodwell’s introduction Yaya Toure moved further forward and equalised.

Luis Suarez, however, expertly curved a free-kick low around the wall to regain the lead for the home side.

Rodwell had been unfortunate to concede the set piece for handball, after the ball hit him from close range as he slid in to block a shot from outside the box, and he went on to comment: “I’m not sure, I just slid in and I know it hit my chest but I’ll have to watch the video.

“I’m not sure we could have done anything about the free kick itself as it was a great strike but we’ll have to look to improve on it next time.”

The midfielder praised his team for coming back from a goal down for the fourth consecutive competitive match with Carlos Tevez intercepting a careless back pass from Skrtel to equalise.

He added: “It showed great character to come back from being behind twice and Carlos scored a great goal.

“We have to keep grinding these points out away from home, especially at places like Anfield and we’ll just take away the positives from today.”

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini demanded an improvement from his defence after they conceded two goals on Sunday for the fourth consecutive fixture.

City came back from a goal down twice against Liverpool at Anfield to earn a 2-2 draw, but Mancini slammed his defence after shipping another double.

The Premier League champions conceded twice on the final day of last season and have done in all three games this campaign, including the Community Shield clash against Chelsea.

Mancini called for this run to end, while also complaining about the free-kick awarded to Liverpool which led to the Reds’ second goal.

“I think that it’s time we finished conceding two goals every game”, he told Sky Sports.

“Before this [happens] we need to work. Today the two goals were set-pieces, the second goal wasn’t a free-kick, it was like the goal we conceded here last year, but we do need to improve.”

The 47-year-old did praise his team’s character though, saying he was pleased with the manner in which his players fought back despite ending up with what he feels is a disappointing result.

“I’m disappointed because when you don’t win you are always disappointed,” he continued.

“But you know that at Anfield it is difficult to play and in the end if you go and take one point like today, go two times down and score two goals, yeah, we showed good character.”

City lined up in a changed formation with three at the back and five in midfield but reverted back to their more familiar shape during the game and Mancini feels his side need more time to get used to the new system.

He added: “I think we need more time, for 30 minutes we always had the ball.”

“Playing in their half we had 4 or 5 chances to score but then after we conceded from the corner, something needed to change.”

Finally, the Italian confirmed the club will work hard as we enter the final week of the transfer window.

“We have 5 days, we should work really hard.” He said.