Carlo Cudicini and Michael Essien are hoping to be given the nod to play against Liverpool tomorrow night, and insist the Carling Cup is a fantastic prize to win should we make it to Wembley.

Cudicini has played in each of our previous Carling Cup games this season against Hull and Leicester, and filled in for Petr Cech while the number one was out with his calf injury.

But now the Czech has recovered he will be keen to get as much first team action as possible, and so Avram Grant faces a tough decision.

Cudicini was unfortunate to miss the final of the same competition back in 2005, when he was suspended as we gained our first silverware of the José Mourinho era. Just like Grant, Mourinho had opted to use the Italian in cup competition.

'They are always big games [against Liverpool] and it's nice to play when you have to compete against big players. It's always a good atmosphere, so it would be nice to play,' Cudicini said.

'It's a quarter-final for the first trophy of the season. We are the holders of the trophy so we want to do well and get through.'

Responding to suggestions that the competition is not treated with the same respect as the 'big three', Cudicini stated his belief that an opportunity for silverware should not be sniffed at.

'A lot of people say this but in February when you're there and have the chance to lift the Cup, a lot of people are watching you and it's a chance to lift a trophy. I think we have to defend it, as we are the owner of the trophy at the moment.'

Following Sunday's narrow reverse at the Emirates, Cudicini also believes it is important that we bounce back to winning ways as soon as possible, with no better opportunity than a home tie with Liverpool.

'It's a different matter but it's important to bounce back after a defeat we didn't deserve, but unfortunately it's happened,' he said.

'Now we have the chance for a couple of days to think about another competition, qualify for the next round and then from Thursday go straight back to the Premier League and try to get back to first place.

'Even though two or three weeks ago we were six or seven points from Arsenal and then three, it's not finished yet, we have a long time in front of us and time to recover.'

Cudicini has also given his opinion on the judgment of the FA to appoint his former manager Fabio Capello as England manager.

Cudicini was at AC Milan under his countryman, and believes the 61-year-old can do a good job for England.

'I hope for England that he is going to be successful. I think he could be the right man, he is a great manager and has great experience,' Cudicini said.

'Everywhere he went he won trophies, but he has a big difference with the way he has to manage the team but I think he has the experience and the right staff around him, plus the English person that will be on side as well, I am sure they will do very well.

'This is my wish as well, although I am Italian, I have lived here for a long time. After what I saw against Croatia, a lot of my team-mates were really disappointed. I wish them all the best with the new manager, and I will celebrate as well.'

One man not thinking about England though is Michael Essien, who returns to the squad after a three-match domestic suspension.

'I can't wait to come back, I'm missing all the important games, so really looking forward to returning,' Essien smiled.

'Liverpool is obviously an important game in the Carling Cup, it's always difficult against them, but it's a good advantage to be at home, so hopefully the fans will be behind us and we'll win the game.'

Ahead of our 17th meeting with the Reds since October 2004, Essien admitted it can be a little tiresome coming up against the same opposition so frequently.

'Yes, sometimes you know, we keep getting the same club and it's a little bit boring, but every game is a game we want to win and we'll do our work on the night,' he said.

If they are involved, both players will be hoping to take us one step closer to defending our trophy. The game can be followed on Chelsea Plus, which features live match commentary.