Rodgers: Big display proves our chances

Brendan Rodgers insisted that the level of performance produced by Liverpool against Chelsea on Tuesday night should provide his team with ample confidence for the return meeting next week.

In the opening leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with the Londoners at Anfield, the Reds were in dominant form, controlling possession and creating a host of opportunities.

They were unfortunate to concede from an Eden Hazard penalty on 18 minutes, an advantage that Jose Mourinho's side defended until the interval on a bitterly cold evening in L4.

There was no chance of the hosts relenting, however, and a stunning solo goal by Raheem Sterling shortly before the hour mark hauled Rodgers' charges level - the least they deserve

Steven Gerrard struck a post and the in-form Thibaut Courtois parried out a succession of efforts to leave the last-four tie in the balance before the rematch at Stamford Bridge.

The manager told reporters at his press conference following the final whistle: "It was a big performance from us. We're starting to return to the level that we've been at.

"It's always difficult against them; they sit in a low block, the spaces are closed, and especially if you go 1-0 behind. They are an outstanding team and they know how to defend well.

"They know that they were moved about the pitch tonight. The spaces were opening up for us, we got the goal and they really had to hang on. They'll be happier in terms of the scoreline.

"But I'm obviously extremely happy with the way our performance level is improving all the time. We can now go into the second leg knowing that the movement and speed could cause them a problem.

"It was a good game - it was a big game between two really good teams. They had one shot on target, which shows you how magnificently we defended, pressured the ball and blocked spaces.

"But then our creation in the game was at a really high level - the only thing that was missing was the finish. It was an outstanding team performance.

"It sets us up perfectly now for the second leg. Obviously you would expect Chelsea to open up a bit more, playing at home, and that will work even better for us.

"You saw how we were defensively tonight, really aggressive and really compact. They have got top-class players but I felt the performance tonight was a good benchmark for us in how we're working.

"There is absolutely no doubt that we can go into the second leg and get the result that we need. We'll have confidence in doing that. But we've got a big game at the weekend before then."

Sterling brought about Liverpool's equaliser through sheer perseverance and skill as he scooped the ball inside the Chelsea half and drove through the centre of the field towards the Kop end.

As Courtois approached, the No.31 held his nerve to slot the ball into the bottom corner and pull the home side level in the tie - and afterwards, Rodgers was keen to hail the 20-year-old's display.

"The rest has done him the world of good," said the manager. "I thought he was outstanding. He's got that great ability to run in behind, but he can also exploit that space at the front of the defender.

"The system that we play and when we work the ball and move the ball, it opens up the centre of the field. And he's the perfect player to come underneath and get turned.

"Then his speed was frightening really. To get in and then finish off his left side was wonderful. He certainly deserved that for his performance."

In the build-up to the game, Rodgers had spoken of his belief that the 'identity' of his Liverpool team was beginning to return after the eight-match unbeaten run they went into their latest run-out looking to maintain.

The Northern Irishman explained: "There are different types of coaches. I watch a lot of the games and I hear the analysts talking about teams who are outstanding defensively, and who have defensive coaches.

"I am from a different bottle than that - I want to be creative and offensive, but always with tactical discipline in the game. I felt for two years we really worked towards that.

"In the first period of this season, we had been nowhere near that, firstly in terms of our pressure and intensity in our pressing, and then the creation of chances - it was non-existent, really.

"We got off to a really slow start, but we've been able to work well, analyse the team and the group of players we have in order to get the best out of what we've got.

"Which meant changing the system - the system can be whatever it needs to be. What is important for how I work is the style and the model of the game.

"Now you start to see that returning in the team, and that's the most important thing. The system can be 3-4-3, 3-5-2, 4-4-2 diamond, 4-3-3, whatever, but what is important for us and how we work is the level and the style of our football.

"That has shown that it can win games - and win a lot of games. We're starting to see that now, hence the reason results have picked up."

Chelsea boss Mourinho conceded after the contest that he had been disappointed by his side's ball retention at Anfield.

Rodgers, however, believes Liverpool's intensity and pressing unsettled their opponents and did not allow them to move the ball freely.

"We were able to lock them in to tight spaces and even though they have got players that are really gifted technically, that pressure and suffocation around the ball can be very hard to play against," he said.

"Jose will be disappointed with [his side's] passing, but for me it was a great indicator of how well we pressed the game."

Meanwhile, journalists quizzed Rodgers on whether Daniel Sturridge had any chance of being included in the squad that will travel to London next week for the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

He replied: "He's really kicked on in his rehab. He did very, very well today, so we'll see how that looks between now and then."

Source : Liverpoolfc.com