Rodgers: Liverpool confident of beating Chelsea

Brendan Rodgers has warned
Chelsea that they will face a
different Liverpool in Tuesday's
League Cup semi-final first leg
than the one they beat earlier in
the season.
The Reds welcome Jose Mourinho's Premier League
leaders to Anfield for the second time this season, with
Chelsea having emerged 2-1 winners in the top flight clash
in November.
That fixture was part of a run of four straight defeats for a
Liverpool side who struggled in the early stages of the
season after going so close to winning the title last term.
Manager Rodgers has seen his side improve
vastly recently, though, and they head into Tuesday's
match unbeaten in their last eight games in all
competitions.
While acknowledging the strength of Chelsea's squad,
Rodgers is confident of progressing over the two-legged
tie and insists his target for this season remains winning a
trophy and qualifying for the Champions League.
"We know if you want to win the competition you have to
beat the best teams," Rodgers told reporters. "We are
developing and improving as season goes on and we are
full of confidence.
"When we last played them, we weren't in a good moment
but we're developing, improving and confidence is very
high.
"Chelsea are in a really strong position. They have a very
experienced squad of players who are playing well. They
are five points clear [in the Premier League] but there is
still a long way to go.
"Our objective is still to win a trophy and qualify for the
Champions League. A trophy would help build for the
future. Chelsea have shown that once you win a trophy you
can go on and sustain it. But the first trophy is always the
hardest."
Rodgers, a former youth and reserve team manager at
Chelsea, insists that all will not be lost even if Liverpool
fail to win the first leg on home turf.
"We have spoken about the fact it is a different type of
game," he added. "You don't need to open up too much.
We want to win, but the tie won't be won or lost in the
first game.
"We know we'll have to deal with pressure at moments in
the game but the most important thing is to make sure we
are in a good position in the second leg.
"These are the games that excite you and it is an
opportunity to win a trophy. If we do that it is an
opportunity to bring these players on."
Courtesy: goal news
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