Brendan Rodgers is in no doubt Liverpool should have beaten Chelsea in the League Cup last night, and he reckons the Reds were denied not one but two penalties at Anfield.

Eden Hazard put the Blues ahead with a first-half spotkick, but a brilliant second-half equaliser by Raheem Sterling means the sides go into next Tuesday's semi-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge with the score level a 1-1.

“It’s always difficult against them, they sit in a low block,” said Rodgers. “They’ll be happier in terms of the scorleine, but I’m happier the performances are improving all the time.”

When it was put to him that Jose Mourinho reckoned a draw was a fair result, Rodgers responded: “I think it’s ‘fair’ when you should lose the game.”

The Reds boss added: “We’re so disappointed we didn’t get at least one penalty tonight.”

Of Liverpool’s goalscoring hero Raheem Sterling, who returned last night after a holiday granted by his manager, Rodgers said: "The rest has done him the world of good.”