Adam Lallana says strong words exchanged in Liverpool squad during win over Stoke

Highlights of Liverpool against Stoke in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg Highlights of Liverpool against Stoke in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg

Adam Lallana has revealed some strong half-time words helped Liverpool secure their place in the Capital One Cup final on Tuesday night.

Trailing 1-0 on the night to Marko Arnautovic's goal, making it 1-1 on aggregate in the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final and with away goals counting double in extra time, Liverpool's chances of progression were hanging in the balance at Anfield.

However, after a frank exchange involving Jurgen Klopp and his players, they came out and managed to see the game through to penalties, which they won 6-5.

It was not a fluent or effective performance but Liverpool got the job done and Lallana believes that dressing-room intervention provided a much-needed wake-up call.

We were poor and there were a few strong words at half-time, not just from the manager but from ourselves. We knew it. Adam Lallana

Something similar happened at Anfield 10 days ago when Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney was at the centre of a shouting match with team-mates ahead of them coming out to score a second-half winner.

Lallana insists there was no ranting and raving, just identifying points for improvements.

"It wasn't over the top like that," said Lallana.

"We could hear it kicking off from our dressing room that day. It wasn't that, ours was more structured, but we knew we weren't good enough in the first half.

Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool's progression to the Capital One Cup final as a special moment Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool's progression to the Capital One Cup final as a special moment

"We were poor and there were a few strong words at half-time, not just from the manager but from ourselves. We knew it.

"We said we need to be a bit more composed on the ball and wanting the ball when we play it out from the back rather than hitting it long a few too many times in the first half.

"It got better as it went on. It wasn't the prettiest of games but it is all about winning and going through.

"We are at Wembley now and have a chance to win a trophy, which is brilliant."