Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers feels that the first trophy is always key in starting a successful run that will lead to an era where a side will be remembered for silverware.
Liverpool are yet to win a trophy under Brendan Rodgers, but that could change as they are in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup and entertain Chelsea today at Anfield. The Reds are still in the rebuilding phase after 2010 when they were taken over by the FSG, and despite winning the League Cup in 2011 under then manager Kenny Dalglish, they have failed to kick on in Cup competitions.
Rodgers spoke to talkSPORT and revealed that Chelsea were in a similar situation when they had made huge investments in players back in 2005, a I joined Chelsea as a young coach in 2004 and in that period of time they werena t renowned as serial winners.
a They were looking for their first trophy. In 2005 they beat Liverpool in what was the Carling Cup final in Cardiff and that set them off on a run over the past decade.
a We now associate them with being winners. That first trophy was very important for them.
a Thata s what wea re trying to do here. Wea re building in a different way with a different model with young players. But if we can get a trophy this year with the squad being so young then it will let us build towards the future.
a We hope winning a trophy this year can start off a period of success for us. We want this group of players to be together for a long time.a
The closest Liverpool have come to winning a trophy under Rodgers was last season when they finished second. The Merseysiders fell short and Chelsea played a big hand in their failure to win the league as they beat them at Anfield. This season, Liverpool were beaten by Chelsea when the two sides faced each other at Anfield in November. However, Rodgers’ side are unbeaten in eight games and will fancy their chances at home against Chelsea.
Brendan Rodgers is yet to get the better of his former mentor Jose Mourinho, so tonight’s semi-final clash could be the biggest stage to finally get one over Mourinho whose side are flying high this season. After being humbled by Spurs on new years day, Chelsea have won three in a row and have scored ten goals with none conceded. However, with Liverpool having a good run after a disappointing first half of the season, the game could be even.