Liverpool FC v Cardiff - Carling Cup Final - Feb 26 [R]

----------------Pepe
Johnson-----Skirt----Agger----Enrique
Henderson-----Adam---SG------Downing
----------Suarez-----Carroll

bellamy, Kuyt, spearing,Carra, Shelvey, Maxi

 

Being against Cardiff and considering his role in getting us to the final I think its only fair that Bellamy start.

I also think at least one of Kelly and Spearing should start as both played a part in getting to the final and will give a good message to the Academy that if they do well they'll be rewarded.

With Carra starting today I'm guessing he'll be on the bench next week but will almost certainly come on in the 2nd half, providing that we are not searching for a goal. Dirk as well deserves to be involved as he is long overdue a medal in a Liverpool shirt.

Hopefully Lucas will be at the game as well.

 

Agreed on all points, I'd like to see the players who got then here rewarded, although I am still not a big fan of Spearing.

Funny to think Cardiff have been here so much already and LFC will be on it's first visit.

 

Think the Brighton game showed against lesser teams we don't need the pure holding in the midfield that Spearing brings.

Can see Kelly get the nod at right back for all the hard work to get us there, but I think we'll see Bellamy for Downing on the left and pretty much the same team as Brighton.

 

Right, forgot about Agger. Sure he'll be back.

 

Tough side with really emotional supporters that the team respond to. (I was stuck among them at the Annie Road end, when we played the last FA Cup match)

Got to take the wind out of their sails early, then keep them on the back foot late. We don't need us trying to bunker with a one goal lead at the end.

You don't under estimate any team at Wembley.

 

Well it may be only fair that Bellamy start but again I think it more likely that we start the team that played against Brighton, except dAgger for Carra. Bellamy will get time at the end when we are either looking for the killer extra goal or the goal to tie or win.

 

It's a bullshit competition but trophies are rare for us lately so can't say I wouldn't be bothered if we lost this. Hope they go out with the right mentality and give the fans something to smile about.

Agree that its most likely the same side that featured against Brighton, although I think Kuyt could be useful in this one, as he is in every "big" match.

 

I absolutely hate this modern day attitude of qualifying for the CL is somehow superior to winning domestic cups. Just look at the current rut Arsenal are in having finished top 4 every season but not a trophy since 2005. Maybe some of their stars might have stuck around had they won something.

As for the League cup somehow being inferior 11 of the last 14 finalists have been United(3), Chelsea(3), Arsenal(2), Spurs(2) and ourselves in 2005. Not taking the competition seriously in the last 6 years has coincided our drift from the top pack.

Lineups from our last league cup final victory:



United sure as shit took that game seriously with that lineup

 

Run them into the ground:

Pepe

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

Spearing

Kuyt Gerrard Bellamy

Suarez Carroll​

Bench: Doni, Carragher, Kelly, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Maxi

 

Absolutely agree with the points on Kuyt and Bellamy. Kuyt hasn't won a trophy with us yet, and he deserves to be on the pitch fighting for this one. No downside whatsoever to playing him.

Of the lineups I've seen posted, this is the one I like most. Even if we go 4-4-2 this one works (although Bellamy is better as a winger than a wide midfielder). My gripe with the other lineups is Henderson playing wide. I really like him, but I think he's misused out wide, at least in this team. If henderson is going to play it should be in the middle. But as I said, I agree with all of the players on the pitch in this scenario.

Just go get 'em.

 

Just watching LFC TV, they are doing a special on all the goals Liverpool have scored in cup finals. It's awesome! I had forgotten honestly, some of the great players and incredible goals that have been scored. Players like Jim Beglin, Micheal Thomas, Ronnie Whelan (I still have my Ronnie Wheelan bobble head somewhere) - he could pass and score that lad, Steve Highway, Jimmy Case. then of course there are the usual, Keegan, Souness, Kenny, Fowler, Rush, McManaman (damn I had forgotten how great it was to watch him run at the opposition), Aldo and Ian St John... the list goes on. Damn we've had some class in this team of ours.

If ever the lads need some ideas they only need watch the Top 10 (or Kop 10 as the gorgeous Claire calls them), if that can't give them a sense of the history this club has of cup finals then nothing will.

Ian Rush was a genius for sure, so great to see some of those players.

 

This is a game we need to win. End of Story.

I know Gerrard will definitely be lifting the League Cup this weekend. The only question is whether it will be Stephen or Anthony.

Strange to think that we have won more Trophies in Cardiff than Cardiff City!

 

Interesting take on the Wrap yesterday regarding saving Bellamy for the second half considering there may be extra time to play. Think there may be something in that.

Either way, no doubt he and Kuyt will get on the field at some point.

 

What day is it?

 

Here we go for a trophy.

 

It's about time.

 

From the official site, and you may need the LFC.tv to see

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/watch-our-new-wembley-poem

And the footsteps of our fathers,
and those who've gone before,
will be there with us at Wembley
once more