Liverpool legend John Aldridge says they must not talk up excuses over the timing of their Carling Cup quarterfinal against Chelsea.

Aldo wrote in his column for the Liverpool Echo: "I can understand Liverpool's fury at the schedule because it's given Chelsea an unfair advantage but the decision has been made and now we have to get on with it.

"We've been saying all season that the squad is much stronger than in previous years and I'm sure Kenny Dalglish would have made a lot of changes for the Cup anyway.

"We should also have Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher back by then.

"Playing twice in three days isn't great because preparation time is massive in football.

"But we've got to be positive and you don't want to give anyone any excuses."