Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert has said that his side are getting better ahead of the first leg of their League Cup semi-final clash with Chelsea.

The Reds have won four of their last five games, including Saturday's victory at Aston Villa, and Lambert believes that they can give the Premier League leaders a close run for their money.

He told reporters: "We're getting better and better - that's the most exciting thing. We've got players coming back and we're still in all the cups.

"Chelsea will probably be favourites, that's fair to say. But I think we are in a better shape going into this game than we were a couple of months ago. I think we've got the winning mentality back now."

The winner of the tie will face either Tottenham Hotspur or Sheffield United in the final.