Claudio Ranieri is "ready to work" after Watford's demoralising defeat at home to Liverpool.

The Hornets shipped five goals against the Reds in the Italian's first game in charge, after which the new head coach agreed his side had been too accommodating.

Despite the result, Ranieri said he had seen some good things from his players and knew exactly what needed to be improved.

“We know it was a difficult match. I think at the beginning we were very very nervous and after nine minutes we conceded a goal and I think some of their goals were our presents,” he said.

“I watched some bad things about my team, but I watched some good things, for example the last 20 minutes when we played face-to-face against Liverpool.

“I knew before coming that I had to work very very hard and I am ready to work.”

Having only met some of his players two days prior to the game due to their involvement in the international break, Ranieri went into the match in a difficult position.

However, he believes the game has given him a better understanding of what he can expect from his team.

"Now I know much better my players because I met all my players two days ago," he said.

"During the last 10 days I watched the training session of my players but of course the truth is on the pitch against big teams. Now I know them very very well.

"Defeats are always difficult, but I'm a very positive man and I watched very well my players today. I watched where we have to improve and from next week, we will start to improve."