Aldo: Anfield key to Wembley hopes
John Aldridge believes Liverpool have the necessary fire power needed to overcome the challenge of Chelsea and reach Wembley, but feels the outcome of the first leg at Anfield will be key to victory.
Brendan Rodgers faces his old adversary in Jose Mourinho on Tuesday night in front of an expectant Kop as the Reds play in a record 15th League Cup semi-final.
The teams have had some memorable battles over the years and the legendary striker insists Liverpool can rise to the occasion against the Barclays Premier League leaders.
"The first leg is massive for us," Aldridge told Liverpoolfc.com. "We need to go away to Chelsea with a lead of some sort, though a draw is not the end of the world.
"We know Chelsea are very good at home and very strong throughout the team, defensively in particular, but it's not beyond us by any means. Yes, Chelsea are a difficult nut to crack but we saw what Tottenham Hotspur did to them recently, so it can be done.
"We've had some great semi-finals against them, none more so than the two when we beat them at Anfield to get to two European Cup finals.
"And who could forget the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford when we beat them in 2006? That was brilliant, what a fantastic game of football that was, so I'm looking forward to it but it will be very difficult."
In Steven Gerrard's final season at Anfield, Aldridge insists it would be a fitting send-off if the captain could lead Liverpool out at Wembley this season.
He added: "Steven has had some confrontations with Chelsea over the years in finals and semi-finals.
"It's amazing how the two teams have been drawn against each other so many times. But it would be nice for Steven wouldn't it to get to Wembley and with the FA Cup to come as well who knows?
"At this moment in time, this is our best chance to win a trophy. Who knows how far we will go in the FA Cup and Europa League?
"You take each game as it comes and at this point in time we are in a semi-final, so after that we face Bolton in the FA Cup and then it's Besiktas and then we'll see where that takes us."
As ever Gerrard and co will be roared on by the Kop at Anfield and Aldridge insists they can make a real difference on the night.
He concluded: "Our crowd have proved it time and time again and in cup competitions in particular.
"They were brilliant last year when we had the belief we could maybe win the league and in the big cup competitions they always rise to the occasion.
"Our 12th man will there on Tuesday without a doubt."