Liverpool FC v Cardiff: Time for Some Silverware
It’s about time, isn’t it? For Liverpool FC to win some silverware. The last time we even had a bit of it was way back in 2006, when we won the FA Community Shield coupled with the FA Cup.
Surprising, isn’t it? That it’s taken us this long to return to the big stage of Wembley.
In terms of injuries and suspensions, Kenny Dalglish has an almost full squad at his disposal. Steven Gerrard, Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez will all be fresh off the FA Cup tie against Brighton last weekend, whilst Craig Bellamy looks likely to return to the Starting XI, as he sat out the Brighton match entirely, perhaps an indication that he is definitely playing against Cardiff City for this one.
And there really is a buzz around the Red half of Merseyside, with the Reds hoping the League Cup would be catalyst towards better fortunes in the League and the FA Cup as the 2011/12 season reaches it’s final stretch.
Everyone knows the club has been through some tough times but we’re moving forward now. We’re all desperate to bring success back. It’s what we’re working so hard to achieve.
Steven Gerrard, in the build-up to the League Cup final
But there most certainly be echoes of an Arsenal-esque collapse to the season should Liverpool fail to capture the League Cup come Sunday. If you’re not familiar with what happened, let me enlighten you. Before the League Cup final they played last season, Arsenal FC were still in the running for the Premier League title, Champions League title, along with the FA Cup. Furthermore, they had a slim lead against Barcelona following their first leg encounter in the Champions League. What happened next was entirely unexpected. The Gunners lost against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final, had a massive dip in form in the Premier League, got annihilated by Barcelona, and were knocked out of the FA Cup shortly after.
But Kenny Dalglish should do well to guard against complacency in a big cup tie such as this. After all, Liverpool indeed do have a 100% record in the cups this season, marching on to the League Cup final, along with doing well to reach the quarter final stages of the FA Cup this season, as two Wembley visits look on the cards for the Reds this season.
Come on you Reds!
