Rodgers’ Pride In Cup Competition Record
- Brendan Rodgers discusses his excellent 30-game unbeaten run in domestic cup competitions
- Rodgers sees his side face Aston Villa over two legs in the Carabao Cup Semi-Finals in January
- The first leg will take place at King Power Stadium on Wednesday (8pm kick-off)
- LCFC Radio will provide live coverage of the game from 5pm
Not since 2015, when Liverpool were beaten by Aston Villa – Leicester City’s Carabao Cup Semi-Final opponents – has Rodgers tasted defeat in a cup tie, while he won two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups at Celtic.
He will be aiming to make it 31 and then 32 games without loss when the Foxes take on Aston Villa across two legs this month, but knows both encounters are set to test his side as they bid to book a Wembley final spot.
“I’m very proud, of course,” said Rodgers of his record in cup competitions. “It seems a long time ago, really, but I was very honoured and privileged to have won my first trophy with Celtic with the group of players that I had and to make it the 100th trophy in Celtic’s history was truly special.
“We went on an incredible run and the players there were so focused, so intent in winning, and they suffered in that period as well, but were always able to get through it. It was fantastic.
“Then, we come to here with the same idea, the same intent. We look to win every game and see where it can take us. The players in the cup competitions so far have been absolutely brilliant.
“Now, we arrive into a semi-final. It’s a tough fixture, of course, but it will also be a tough fixture for Aston Villa. Our aim is simply to get to the final.”
Rodgers says City will attempt to exploit any weaknesses Villa may have, but they must show patience on Filbert Way.
Rodgers added: “There’s always a tendency, whether it’s in semi-finals or finals – you don’t need to magnify the importance of the games. I think that’s key. You don’t want to add any more pressure and take away any more pressure.
“I think every game you go into, you go in with the intent to be aggressive, to play well and to win, so it’s the same preparation for this game – very calm, full of details and how can we exploit any sort of weakness that Aston Villa may have.
“But also, at the same time, respect their qualities and look to protect the team against that. [We’ll] just be very focused and go in with that ambition to be the very best that we can.”
All times GMT.