Liverpool Manager Roy Evans does not intend to allow his obvious relief at his side's somewhat fortuitous UEFA Cup victory over Celtic to cloud his judgment. Like his immediate predecessors, Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, Evans is most accomplished at concealing any sense of disappointment.

But after Liverpool had ousted Celtic on the away goals rule at Anfield on Tuesday night, he conceded that a noticeable and immediate, improvement in form was necessary.

"The effort is there but it is vitally important that we add some quality as quickly as we can," he said. "We will need to improve if we are to win anything this season. We just could not finish Celtic off and that is a problem we have encountered recently," he added.

Evans is clearly dissatisfied with the make-up of the senior squad he has assembled at such vast expense and to that end he flew to Spain yesterday to resurrect his interest in one of Europe's most respected defenders.

Jaap Stam, the PSV Eindhoven, centre back, could be playing his football in the Premiership before Christmas should Evans decide that he is willing to meet an estimated asking price of £3 million.

Last night, Evans watched the 25-year-old Dutch international in the Champions League Group C fixture against Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

"At the moment, our football is not fantastic as it sometimes can be," said Evans. "Although we do still have more in the tank our all-round play needs to improve."