Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is adamant that the Reds are fully "committed" to progressing through to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup, despite the side expecting to rest a number of players against Chelsea this evening.

The two sides go head to head for the second time in over a week at Stamford Bridge, with the first meeting resulting in a 2-1 victory for Liverpool.

While Reds boss Kenny Dalglish has been openly discontent about the number of fixtures in a short period of time, Lucas has insisted that the Merseyside club will do all they can to stay in the competition.

"You can see from the first game we played in the Carling Cup (at League One side Exeter) we take the competition really seriously," said Lucas. "We want to go to Wembley. We have a tough match away again - we haven't played at home [this season] in the Carling Cup.

"If we get through to the semi-final it will show how committed we are with this club. This kind of match you don't need any extra motivation because it is a big game, a quarter-final, and it is a chance to win a trophy."

Vice-captain Jamie Carragher and forward Craig Bellamy are expected to return to the side.