Rodgers: We are fully prepared for Chelsea
Liverpool's preparation for the crucial second leg of their semi-final with Chelsea began as soon as the first meeting concluded, allowing Brendan Rodgers to report that his side are fully prepared for tonight's decider.
It was exactly a week ago at Anfield that the two Barclays Premier League rivals kicked off a last four tie in the Capital One Cup to settle who will progress to the competition's showpiece at Wembley on March 1.
They struck once each. Eden Hazard broke the deadlock early on Merseyside, drawing a penalty from Emre Can and dusting himself off to stroke a penalty into the right corner of Simon Mignolet's goal at the Kop end.
Backed by a boisterous home crowd, however, the Reds roared back and Raheem Sterling's equaliser was one of sublime quality, with the No.31 sprinting past the visiting defence and calmly slotting home.
Neither outfit could secure progress from the fourth round of the FA Cup at the weekend, meaning extra motivation has merely been added to a semi-final that is already perfectly balanced for the Stamford Bridge return.
Outlining the approach, Rodgers explained: "Like every game, we always analyse the performance. Normally, on a personal level, I'll watch it afterwards, whether it's on the way back or when I arrive home.
"I'll always get the chance to analyse the performance, then with our coaching team and the analysts we'll sit down and have a staff meeting.
"We look at the gameplan we went in with, both defensively and offensively, and in transition moments in the game - what our ideas were and were we effective in those areas?
"From that, we look at how the game itself went. Was there any remedial work from that game that we need to improve on? But also, very importantly, how we can reinforce the areas where were we very good.
"That was a game in particular that our possession of the ball was excellent, our positioning was very good, how we occupied spaces on the field was as we would want, and our attacking threat was a really high level.
"The only thing we missed was that finishing touch in the box. Straight after that, we analysed that and we had Bolton to prepare for; as soon as the final whistle went against Bolton, we were analysing and preparing for this game.
"We're fully prepared for it. We have a meeting with the team to analyse and review a lot of the positive work that we did in the last game.
"Our presentation will then focus on little elements that we picked up from that game. Then we'll have another couple of meetings before the game - all short, sharp, concise and to the point."
The boss added: "I will look at two or three [starting] teams that they can play. They will obviously look at the game being at home and may want to take an extra defensive midfield player out and put in an attacker.
"That might leave the spaces open too much for us, with our numbers and quality. As the opposition coach, you're always analysing - you're thinking about 'what if?', 'what will they play?', 'what might they play?', 'what could be the changes?'
"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 and change? As a coach, you're always thinking about structures and formations, and ultimately to get a win."
Chelsea were stunned by a Bradford City comeback in the FA Cup on Saturday, surrendering a two-goal advantage on home soil as the League One team recorded an historic 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge.
In previewing the Reds' visit this evening, Rodgers pointed to the inspirational impetus the Bradford supporters provided their team and highlighted how travelling Kopites can offer a similar impact.
Asked what his final message to the players will be, the Northern Irishman said: "For us, to go out and have no fear. We respect the opponent, of course, because they are a very good team, but we have got nothing to fear in the game.
"We're a team that are in a good moment - we're playing well, working well and we know we can go there and win. That's key. What's also key and very important for us - we saw it at the weekend - are our supporters.
"Bradford City had incredible support in the second half when they were attacking the goal with all of their supporters. They made great noise. It felt like a really great vibe for the team.
"We know that everywhere we travel, the travelling Kop is amazing. So to go there and have them in the semi-final with us as well should make it really exciting. We hope to do them justice and get to the final."