BR: We go to Chelsea with good confidence

The manager was previewing the Capital One Cup last four decider, which is delicately balanced after the rivals traded a blow apiece in their initial meeting at Anfield last Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's team broke the deadlock on Merseyside when Eden Hazard won a penalty in front of the Kop and stepped up himself to send compatriot Simon Mignolet the wrong way.

But back came the Reds, and in emphatic fashion. They attacked the Londoners almost constantly following the interval and levelled proceedings through a fine Raheem Sterling strike.

The consensus was that Rodgers' side had done enough to win the match and although they did not, the showing gives the Northern Irishman great faith for the second tie.

"It's a different game, of course, but a game we'll have to be really solid in our defending in," assessed the manager at a press conference from Melwood on Monday morning.

"That was also key; we were a real threat going forward, but if you analyse the last game we were very good defensively. We had great pressure on the ball, we were very good controlling the counter-attack.

"They had one moment just after half-time when [Diego] Costa sort of got through and we were on our toes, with Simon [Mignolet] at the edge of the box.

"Apart from that, we controlled the counter-attack really well and looked a real threat going forward. I felt we took that performance into the cup game against Bolton, but just couldn't quite get the goal.

"The team is on the up, we have seen that over the last number of weeks - confidence is really high. We certainly won't be underestimating Chelsea because they have had a disappointing result, we know that every element of our game has to be at a high level.

"But we've got great confidence going into the game, knowing that in particular away from home our form and resilience is getting better and better, and we can get a result.

"The opportunity to win trophies was always going to be a priority for us. We're at the semi-final stage, it's a one-off game now to take us there. We feel confident that we can get a result that gets us into the final."

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Chelsea were in FA Cup action at their home ground on Saturday afternoon and were the subject of one of the tournament's most surprising results of this or any season.

Leading 2-0 against Bradford City and in command, the Blues appeared to be destined for the fifth round until the League One outfit stormed back to claim a 4-2 triumph.

Asked how that result might affect their approach to tackling Liverpool, Rodgers commented: "They had a tough result at the weekend but it doesn't mean they're not a dangerous team or an outstanding team.

"They will have great motivation in a different game and different competition, with a Wembley place at stake. When you come off a game like that, you want to put it right.

"But there is also that in the back of your mind that even if you're up in the game - like they were, 2-0 - you can still lose the game. So I'm sure there'll be that bit of trepidation. But it will be a motivation to get over the result.

"They are a very good side. We played them last week when they were probably coming off their best result and performance, arguably, of the season against Swansea.

"But we were outstanding in the game, and showed a real level of performance that restricted them to a penalty. They had no corners, for a team that is very dangerous from corners.

"We restricted them to very limited possession and opportunities. But they are still a dangerous team. We know it's going to be a tough game.

"But we're certainly going into the game with no fear. Our strength is very much in attack and going forward - we showed that in the last game."