LONDON, December 18- Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he is relishing the prospect of facing Chelsea in the League Cup semi-finals.
Rodgers’ side moved into the last four with a much-needed 3-1 win at Championship side Bournemouth on Wednesday and they were paired with Chelsea in the last four draw just minutes after the final whistle at Dean Court.
Taking on Chelsea will bring back bad memories for Rodgers after Liverpool famously blew their chance to win the Premier League title with a 2-0 home defeat, featuring Steven Gerrard’s famous slip that led to Demba Ba’s goal, at Anfield last season.
Jose Mourinho’s team, currently top of the Premier League, also won 2-1 at Anfield this season, but Rodgers, who has been under pressure after Liverpool’s poor showing this season, is confident his side can make amends with a place in the Wembley final at stake in the two-legged tie in January.
“It will be a fantastic tie,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports.
“If you want to win this competition you have to play against the good sides.
“We’re into the semi-final, it’s over two legs and it didn’t matter who we got. We needed to get there, it’s Chelsea and we look forward to it.”
Mourinho won his first trophy in England by beating Liverpool to the League Cup in 2005, and Chelsea will be away in the first leg.
League One side Sheffield United will face Tottenham in the other semi-final.
The Blades shocked Premier League side Southampton 1-0 at Bramall Lane on Tuesday and will travel to White Hart Lane for the first leg.
Spurs booked their last four spot with a 4-0 demolition of Newcastle on Wednesday.
Draw for the English League Cup semi-finals made on Wednesday:
Liverpool v Chelsea
Tottenham v Sheffield United
Two-legged ties to be played January 20/21 and 27/28.
