Mark Hughes confident of first-leg advantage in League Cup

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has said that he is confident of his side's chances of taking a lead into the second leg of their League Cup semi-final clash with Liverpool.

The Potters host Jurgen Klopp's side at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday looking to reach the final for the first time since 1971-72, when they went on to lift the only major trophy in the club's history.

Stoke have already beaten the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton this season, and Hughes is hoping for another big scalp this week.

"Ideally we want a winning advantage to take into the second leg at Anfield," Hughes told reporters.

"What we don't want obviously is to be out of the tie, but we don't feel that will happen - we are very strong at the moment at home and playing exceptionally well there. We are giving good teams like Liverpool real problems. Teams have to be at their best to withstand us at home.

"It is a game of significance for us, and these are the games we want to be involved in in the future as well - hopefully it is the first of many. The anticipation of the game is something we are working with and enjoying."

Stoke were beaten by Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on the opening day of the 2015-16 season.