Pre Match: League Cup S/F 1st leg Liverpool v Chelsea 20/1/15 7.45

This will be the biggest test yet of the 3-4-3. I reckon Can and Costa will probably have a scuffle at some point and Skrtel will molest Costa's shirt haha

I'd probably have Henderson man-mark Fabregas, press him high up the pitch and try to choke the supply of the ball.

Is Stevie fit enough to start? If not, Lallana for Borini is the only change I would make from the Villa game

I think they will put a full strength team out. They have Bradford at home on the weekend so they can rest players then and they need to rest players in the second leg against us because they play City just days later.

I think they will get a result tomorrow. As much as I hate Mourinho, he knows how to win big matches. Brendan is still inexperienced in this field too.

I'd take a draw now because I fancy us going to Stamford Bridge and winning against a Chelsea reserve team.

Can't wait to watch this match . Coming back to Anfield with a newly found form . I agree with the posts above, a motivated Stevie is dangerous . He told us what he wanted to accomplish before he left and this is a way to do so . I think that it will be a great game and a very hard fought win . Chelsea coming of a routing and us coming off an exciting win . Having Sterling back will great and I think that it will be a nice lift to the squad .

Anfield will be rocking tomorrow night . Cant wait to watch the game . Im over in the US but I plan on making my first Anfield visit very soon  .

In the Kop for this one, first time in the Kop since the Dortmund friendly, so absolutely buzzing for it. Have to admit I have a bad feeling about it, but just to let you all know, I haven't seen Liverpool lose a game I've attended in 15 years (41 games), so that omen at least is positive.

I haven't seen Liverpool lose a game I've attended in 15 years (41 games), so that omen at least is positive.

That's impressive! I've watched a lot fewer games but still saw us get beat by Arsenal (2-1 at Anfield) and Sunderland (1-0 at the Stadium of Light). Didn't help that they were league games in our worst league campaign since the 50s or something.

The pickle-faced shaftmeister also said: "His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never."

The complete and utter nadge-sac. I hope we muller these posturing bell-ends 5-0.

In the past few years it's been these types of games that we raise our game for. European games under Rafa, the semi final against title-chasing City under Kenny etc. It's not quite happened under Brendan in the cups for us yet (hasn't happened against Chelsea under him either, 5 games without a win) so no better time to change that than the coming week ahead.

I don't agree with people saying Mourinho will rotate next week, he's had no problem playing his best players every 3-4 days when it matters and that won't change for us. So we really need to come away with some sort of lead tomorrow night.

Unless Hendo or Raheem move to wing back we've got an interesting team selection ahead with Gerrard and Lallana possibly both coming back into contention, would be ridiculous to leave Gerrard out of this though. He'll be bang up for it.

Some interesting comments I saw on Twitter from Jose about wanting the fans to stop the Steven Gerrard chants. Pains me to say this but it was almost class by Maureen.

Not really I'm with God on this one.

Go full strength and go at these, show them no respect

That's impressive! I've watched a lot fewer games but still saw us get beat by Arsenal (2-1 at Anfield) and Sunderland (1-0 at the Stadium of Light). Didn't help that they were league games in our worst league campaign since the 50s or something.

It's a crazy stat. Weirdest of all is that I was scheduled to go the Madrid game (0-3), but didn't make it because of traffic.

Hate their manager, hate their captain, hate their wanky nightclub like ground surrounded by art shops, hate their plastic flags.

YOU AINT GOT NO HISTORY!

Good barometer of our turn around tomorrow against the Chavs. Whatever about the strength of the teams put out, will give a decent idea of how we match up against a good side. We've definitely improved on season start, and hope that continues - but just get the feeling we might be under pressure here. On the other hand if we can come out on top over two legs, would be brilliant for confidence and we'd be one game away from silverware
Looking forward to the match for a bunch of reasons. COYR!!!!!!!!!

I'd take a draw at home all day long, particularly a 0-0 one. They'll play a weakened side in the second leg.

We need to beat Chelsea with good attacking football, but we should be wary of the bas**rds with their counter attack. Lets see our lads give maximum effort, have pride in the Liverpool shirt and show Chelsea how to play football.

Please just best these tw*ts and put ourselves in position to win another trophy.

Come on Reds!!

As long as we don't lose the first leg we have a chance. Chelsea will sit back and see how much we attack. Mourinho is inherently cautious away from home to big teams, but if he senses we are afraid of them he'll go for it.

We need the right balance; go for the win but don't leave ourselves wide open to the counter.

Jose paying Stevie a compliment? maybe...telling the plastics not to sing that song? give me a break, its all mind games from him as it always is.

As for the match itself...nervous? yes...optimistic? also yes...i think with with the run we are on and confidence high at the moment we could win this but its going to be a tight affair especially if they come and park the bus AGAIN.

I'm going for 2-1 to the mighty reds.

And with the card happy Martin Atkinson in charge there maybe a few cards flying about too, lets just hope he doesn't ruin the game. (well unless he wants to dish out red cards to them )

A win would do in any manner.

Unleash Can.
Not sure there is much choice but to start the same 11 as against Villa.

Obviously if Gerrard is fit swap him in for Borini.

Any Aussies know if this is broadcast over here? Doesn't seem to be on FS or ESPN?

Team doing the rounds

Mignolet
Can-Skrtel-Sakho
Lazar-Hendo-Lucas-Moreno
Stevie-Coutinho
Sterling

Obviously a win needed, very difficult to predict a result.

I'd take a draw at home all day long, particularly a 0-0 one. They'll play a weakened side in the second leg.

I think he'll look for a 0-0 draw. He usually does in ties like these.

But there's another curvedball thrown into the mix tonight. From looking at the weather forecasts, there is a strong possibility of snow  before and/or during the game. If it happens before, the game could be postponed on h&s grounds outside the stadium. It may mean that we play the away leg first too. If it happens during the game, who knows which team will adapt better to the conditions. We played them at home in snow in 2009, and won 2-0.

I'm not saying I want the game postponed,  but it's another factor to consider.