• League Cup

Rodgers: Liverpool must pounce on Chelsea trepidation

Brendan Rodgers has called on Liverpool to exploit any "trepidation" displayed by Chelsea in tonight's League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Victory for Liverpool would increase Chelsea's agony after their shock FA Cup loss to League One side Bradford at home on Saturday.

Chelsea surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 in the fourth round, and Rodgers is hoping to pounce on any more mistakes as he goes in search of his first trophy at Anfield with a place at Wembley up for grabs.

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge after a 1-1 draw in the first leg © Getty Images

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"For us it's to go out and have no fear," Rodgers said. "We respect the opponent of course, because they're a very good team, but we've got nothing to fear in the game.

"We're a team that's in a good moment. We're playing well, we're working well and we know we can go there and win - that's key.

"A win improves confidence. Going there, it's always a tough place. If you look at our record over a number of years it hasn't been great, but that's irrelevant in this game. We're coming off the back of a very good performance at home in the first leg, where we should have won. Anyone who saw the game will think we could have won 3-1 or 4-1. We didn't and it's now up to one game, but we know our retention and speed in the game can hurt any opponent.

"Winning at Stamford Bridge would be important because it would be the final step towards getting to Wembley, and if you do that there's no greater reward than winning it. You've got to get there first.

"Their result at the weekend certainly does not help. They will have great motivation, and after a game like that you want to put it right, but there is also in the back of your mind even if you are 2-0 up you can lose, so there can be trepidation."

Liverpool's last three trophies - the 2005 Champions League, 2006 FA Cup and 2012 League Cup - were all claimed with victories against Chelsea on their way to the final.

Rodgers is also relishing the chance to lock horns once again with his former mentor Jose Mourinho.

He failed to beat Mourinho last season, most notably as Liverpool slipped up against Chelsea at Anfield in April, suffering a defeat that proved costly to their title chances.

Rodgers, who worked as Mourinho's assistant during his first spell in charge at Chelsea, was also beaten at Anfield in November, but last week's 1-1 first-leg draw has offered plenty of hope.

"Jose's record speaks for itself. He's a world-class manager and he'll always have that competitive edge, and your teams have to be at the maximum to get a result," Rodgers said.

"I always say it's really about the teams, but knowing Jose and how he works, how competitive he is, I really enjoy that challenge.

"As the opposition coach you're always analysing and looking; you're thinking of the 'what if?', what might they play, what could the changes be and likewise for your own team - how does the structure of the team set up? What if it's not going so well, how can you adapt, what can you change? As a coach you're always thinking of structures and formations and ultimately to get a win."

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of star striker Daniel Sturridge after five months of injury frustration.

Rodgers said: "For us it's about assessing whether the risk is worth it and hopefully he'll be ready by the weekend."

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