In the build up to Wednesday night's Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool, we spoke to Daniel Thomas of live4liverpool.com about his thoughts on the game and Liverpool's season so far . . .

First, and I do apologise for bringing it up but... the 3-0 defeat on the opening day of the season at The Hawthorns - What did you make of the game and what did you think of Albion?

We were very unlucky to come away with a 3-0 loss but when you miss the chances we and particularly Suarez missed at 0-0 you aren't going to win matches. We obviously got opened up when we went down to 10 men and West Brom were very clinical with their chances, until it got to 3-0 in fact when a host of good chances were missed. I've been impressed with WBA every time I've seen them and I'm glad Steve Clarke is doing well.

You’ve not had the best of starts to the season, any particular reasons why?

We've had some bad luck with injuries, very debatable refereeing decisions and our old nemesis the woodwork striking on a number of occasions, but we just aren't defending well enough and we keep making individual errors. Our whole mantra of keeping the ball where possible is good but sometimes the ball needs to go down the line or into the stand. We're getting there, but we need to stop leaking goals.

When we spoke before the season opener you were happy with the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, is that still the case five weeks on?

I am yes, we approach every game positively and we do play some good football. We're still getting used to his means and methods. He has dropped a few clangers (not necessarily tactical) but I still think that long term he will prove to be a good appointment for us. He needs and deserves time and we have no choice other than to give it to him, even if there's short term pain. And the results have by and large been painful so far, believe you and me!

Who’s been your best player so far this season?

Joe Allen has been a top signing. I alluded to him being just this before the season began and my mind has not changed one bit, he is a very good footballer. He uses the ball well and his reading of the game is superb. I'm made up with him.

Any player that’s been particularly bad / disappointing?

Jose Enrique. Thought we had a snip at £6m last summer but he is too interested in showing opponents the tickets he has to the gun show instead of using the ball. Clear that Rodgers doesn't rate him and his days at the club look numbered. Too busy playing FIFA12 to improve.

Where do you stand on the Andy Carroll issue? Should you have kept him or were you happy to see the back of him?

I'm still furious, I wrote a 3000 word article for The Liverpool Way, the matchday fanzine I write for, regarding just how angry I was. I like Carroll and I wanted him to be a success, but it was clear that Rodgers simply doesn't rate him. So with that in mind, despite my protestations, I could have lived with him leaving had we invested wisely in a replacement. We didn't invest at all, let alone wisely. Borini is now injured and Suarez two yellows away from a suspension.... We have shot ourselves in the foot big style as only we could do. You never let a player go before his replacement is ready to go. It's football transfer 101.

Enjoying the club’s European adventure or do you believe it is detracting from your Premier League campaign?

 Some of the fondest (and most embarrassing) memories of my footballing life are in the UEFA Cup. In its current format the competition is a massive hindrance but we are using it wisely from what I've seen so far. Giving the kids and fringe squad players a chance to stake a claim for their place. It's six guaranteed games for the young lads against some good players. The knockout qualifiers weren't exactly awe inspiringly brilliant to watch but the Young Boys match on Thursday, which finished 5-3, was as fun a game as I've seen all season. I don't think it's a massive distraction at the moment due to the squad we use. I don't think we'll get through as we have got Udinese and Anzhi Mak...Mak... those Russians with loads of money in our group and they might have too much for an inexperienced young team.

Are the club likely to take the competition seriously and what sort of team do you expect Rodgers to put out on Wednesday night?

I think you'll see a good mixture of first team and young players tomorrow. We are the holders and as such we should most definitely look to try and retain the cup. It might not be top of the priority list but we'll look to extend our run in the competition for as long as we can. I think you'll see the likes of Downing play, some of the youngsters like Suso and Andre Wisdom and Samed Yesil will probably get some game time as will Pacheco and will probably flourish as a result of playing top flight football. Players like Spearing stagnated in the reserves, and so has Pacheco to an extent, so these are good games to get them involved in the squad.

Prediction and thoughts on the game?

Not the draw I wanted! We might have had a bit of bad luck in the league game at times but West Brom have hit the straps at the start of the season and are looking really good. It's going to be a tough, hard game. It's very difficult to make a prediction without seeing the team. I think Sahin will play, Carragher and Henderson so it's not the weakest team we'll ever put out. I suppose it depends on WBA, if you have a first XI out we'll struggle to win I think, if you rest a few then we could be in with a good chance. It really does depend on the team though.

Thoughts of the Premier League season so far, who has caught your eye?

Chelsea look the pick of the bunch so far. They have massively reduced the average age of their squad this summer with top quality like Hazard and they have so many attacking options. The little Belgian has been very impressive. To give Everton their credit they have looked great every time I've seen them as well and WBA have impressed as I've already mentioned.

Tell you who haven't impressed me though - Man City. They don't look too clever at the moment and they need to start defending better, they are giving away far too many goals.