Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has declared that he learned lessons from painful exits in cup competitions last season.
The Reds were knocked out of the League Cup by Rodgers's former side Swansea City in his first campaign on Merseyside, before League One outfit Oldham Athletic earned a famous win at their expense in the FA Cup.
Rodgers has vowed not to make the same mistakes again in terms of team selection and preparation for cup matches, insisting that Notts County will get the respect they deserve in tonight's League Cup second-round clash at Anfield.
He told The Mirror: "I made some mistakes last season, in terms of changing the team. When we played Swansea, they had a full-strength side out and we didn't. They went on and won it and we were knocked out.
"It was difficult for us at that moment, with the league and European games. I always try and make the league our objective, but there are lessons learned from that. Hopefully, we will be much better this time and I think the group is more prepared, in every way, than we were last year.
"Our focus is on the next game, and that is Notts County. We will treat them with the same respect as Manchester United. This will be an opportunity for some players to get a game, who maybe haven't featured, but the core of our team will be there."
Liverpool are expected to field a side mixed with youth and experience this evening, with loan signing Aly Cissokho in the squad and hoping for a full home debut.
Liam Power
