Rodgers optimistic ahead of derby

Brendan Rodgers insists Liverpool's Capital One Cup third-round victory over Middlesbrough has set them in good stead for the Merseyside derby.

Liverpool went into the match at Anfield against Sky Bet Championship outfit Boro on Tuesday in need of a boost ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League visit of their local rivals Everton, with the Reds' top-flight record for the campaign so far showing three defeats in five games.

What followed was a remarkable contest in which Rodgers' men were held to 1-1 a draw - and almost beaten, with their post being struck late on - over 90 minutes, then pegged back at 2-2 by a second equaliser from the visitors in the dying seconds of extra-time.

That took the encounter into the League Cup's longest-ever penalty shoot-out, which eventually ended in a 14-13 triumph for the home team as Albert Adomah sent his attempt wide.

Rodgers was in no doubt his side had put in a far-from-vintage performance, but the Liverpool boss - who made seven changes to his first XI from Saturday's 3-1 league defeat at West Ham - thought there were certainly positives to take from the match.

And asked if he felt it had been something of a nightmare given the duration of the game, Rodgers said: "Not really, no.

"I think for the majority of the guys, they needed the game time. I was pleased with the minutes the players got.

"We had a similar situation when we played Notts County (in the Capital One Cup last season and won 4-2 after extra-time).

"We got through in the end, but it went into extra-time - and then we won the game the following weekend against Manchester United 1-0.

"This game has been good for our spirit and camaraderie in the group - to win like that.

"Now we have a bit of time to prepare and get ready for a massive game at the weekend.

"We are making too many mistakes. We made it hard for ourselves. But thankfully the quality and perseverance of the players got us through."

Rodgers was keen to highlight the contributions of some of the younger Liverpool players in the tie, which saw run-outs for the likes of Simon Mignolet, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and substitute Mario Balotelli, but not the rested Steven Gerrard.

Chief among the youngsters to make an impression was Jordan Rossiter, the 17-year-old Liverpudlian marking his senior debut in style with a coolly-struck goal from outside the area in the 10th minute.

And Rossiter admits the experience was something of a blur.

"I can't even explain it. I can't even remember what happened," the midfielder said.

"I'm looking forward to watching it on TV. To score at Anfield is just a great feeling.

"It was an unbelievable game to be part of, especially with all the penalties at the end."

Boro boss Aitor Karanka was immensely proud of his team's display and feels things are coming together nicely for the promotion-chasing Teessiders, who are currently fifth in the Championship.

"The most important thing is that we now know we are capable of producing this kind of performance," the Spaniard said.

"We played last Saturday against Brentford (a 4-0 home win) and played very well, and also against Cardiff (a 1-0 away victory).

"We are playing very well and if we continue playing in this way, we are going to be in a very good position in the table.

"But always we have to keep our feet on the ground."