Glen Johnson: 'Stoke City still in League Cup semi-final tie'

Stoke City right-back Glen Johnson has insisted that his side are capable of overturning their first-leg deficit against Liverpool in the semi-final of the League Cup.

The Potters fell to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of the Reds on Tuesday evening and now face a return to Anfield later this month knowing that they must win to stand any chance of reaching a first final since 1972.

Johnson, who joined Stoke from Liverpool last summer, acknowledged that the defeat had left them in a "tough" situation, but believes that they are more than capable of turning the tie around.

"It is a tough place to go and play. They are a good side. But we are better than we were in this first leg. And if they do have problems at Anfield and we are on our game, then I'm sure we will be right in there," Johnson told reporters.

"We're still in the tie, that's for sure. I think we could have nicked a goal, but to be fair they probably could have nicked a couple more. So in the end, 1-0 probably isn't a bad result. I think a few of the lads lost a bit of confidence after a slow start.

"In the games we have done well in, we have started quick, with us on the front foot, which gives everyone confidence and belief they can win. Liverpool started quick and tried to press us. Our passing was a bit sloppy and it encouraged them to keep doing what they were doing."

Stoke's immediate focus now moves to the FA Cup, where they take on Doncaster Rovers in the third round on Saturday.