The Official Not606 Match Thread: Liverpool Vs Cardiff City. (Carling Cup Final)

SussexBlueBird · Feb 24, 2012

Gerrard on Gerrard, well worth the listen http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17149368#asset

Skylarker · Feb 24, 2012

SussexBlue said: ↑

Gerrard on Gerrard, well worth the listen http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17149368#asset
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What a game that's gonna be in the Various Gerrard households...

The vid didn't work - says error please try later!

EDIT: working now!!

Chris. · Feb 24, 2012

Mackay: My respect for Kenny.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has explained why he'll feel an immense sense of pride leading his team out at Wembley alongside Kenny Dalglish. The Liverpool manager was one of the 40-year-old's idols when growing up in Scotland - so much so that he even took a keen interest in the Reds' fortunes from north of the border when the King was strutting his stuff at Anfield.

Now he can't wait to pit his wits against Dalglish in the Carling Cup final on Sunday.

"Liverpool Football Club means a lot to me," Mackay told LFC TV.

"Kenny Dalglish is someone I know through Paul, his son. Paul was at Celtic and Norwich with me, so Kenny was about both of those clubs when he was watching Paul and I got to know him. Before that, he's someone I used to watch for Scotland and as a young boy he was certainly one of my heroes - I've got no embarrassment about that. I think a lot of people my age in Scotland feel the same way.

"I don't remember his Celtic days because I am far too young, but I remember his Liverpool days and mostly his Scotland appearances. My dad took me to Hampden as a youngster when Kenny was in his prime and I can remember the famous goals he scored.

"The Liverpool team when he was there as both player and a manager was England's best and most successful team, so as a kid they were the team I followed in England from afar.

"There is that little link there - they're certainly a club I've always looked at and there's always been a Scottish element to Liverpool."

Mackay added: "Kenny text me after the Carling Cup semi-final to say congratulations and that he'd see me for a cup of tea at Wembley.

"He's someone I've got a lot of time for and someone who has done so much in the game. I'm sure we'll have five minutes."

Mackay's Liverpool connections don't end with Dalglish.

The Bluebirds boss is close pals with Reds first-team coach Kevin Keen and forward Craig Bellamy.

He said: "Kevin Keen is a good friend of mine from our West Ham days together, and I know Steve Clarke from his time down in London with Chelsea.

"Craig Bellamy and I have known each other our whole careers and we spoke the day after the semi-finals.

"It will be a proud moment for me and a proud moment for the football club to lead the team out at Wembley, shoulder-to-shoulder with Kenny and his team, and have 35,000 Cardiff fans and all of our families there. It will be a good day. You then get into the moment of the game and play the game and not the occasion, but I'll take a minute to look at the occasion because it's not something that comes around very often in anybody's careers."

For Bellamy, Sunday promises to be a poignant occasion. The striker spent last season on loan with his hometown club as they chased promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

"To do what he did last year and drop out of the Premier League and try and gain promotion with Cardiff speaks volumes for him," said Mackay.

"But it doesn't surprise me that much. I have known him his whole career - we worked together at Norwich when he was a baby. Even then, he had a passion, a drive and a determination to be the best player, the best trainer, and to want to win things.

"We've kept in touch and in the summer when I got the job at Cardiff, he phoned to congratulate me and we had a cup of tea at his house. When Liverpool came in it was a great move for him and he's got a great affinity to the club. I was delighted for him and it's worked out really well with the success he's had this season.

"It'll be a day of mixed emotions for him because a lot of his family are from the area - but they'll be supporting Craig on the day."

Mackay believes Bellamy is part of an attacking triumvirate that is capable of unlocking any defence in the land. Nonetheless, he doesn't feel anyone at Liverpool will pay any attention to their tag as match favourites.

Mackay said: "Liverpool have in Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Craig Bellamy three players that can open up any team in Britain.

"If the three of them play in the same team, my goodness there's an attacking threat to that team! They are three of the top players in England right now, so they're a threat to anyone.

"I don't expect Liverpool to take us lightly at all. While we're massive underdogs and a Championship team playing against one of the top teams in England, Liverpool are too professional to take us too lightly."
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SussexBlueBird · Feb 24, 2012

That's our Malky and one of the reasons he'll be a Premier manager one day, hopefully with us first.

Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

Opta: LFC have done it the hard way.

Liverpool have reached their 11th League Cup final, but to make it even more special, they have done it the hard way.

The Reds have become only the second team in the history of the competition to reach the final having played only one game at home, following Arsenal in 2006-07. Liverpool will be hoping that history doesn't repeat itself here, however, as Arsenal went on to lose the 2007 Carling Cup final 1-2 to Chelsea.

Having coped with unfamiliar surroundings on five occasions already in the League Cup this season - all of which they managed to win - Liverpool will hope to have enough to finish off the job against Cardiff City on Sunday.

History suggests the Reds might be in for a tough game, though. Cardiff have previously performed well against Liverpool, as the Bluebirds are the only side who can say that they have won their last five league meetings with the Merseyside club (no other side has won even their last three).

A victory for Liverpool would mean an all-important 15 domestic cup victories (seven League Cup, seven FA Cup so far) - equalling Manchester United's record.

Previous non-top-flight sides haven't had the best of times in the League Cup final. Just one of the last seven sides from outside the top tier to reach the League Cup final has won (Sheffield Wednesday in 1991).
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Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

Memories flood back for Adam.

There are still two days before he arrives at Wembley, but the memories are already flooding back.

Liverpool may have waited 16 years for a trip to the home of English football but Charlie Adam was a much more recent visitor. And the opponents, like in Sunday's Carling Cup final, were Cardiff City. The occasion was the 2009-10 Championship play-off final and the afternoon is memorable for perhaps Adam's finest moment in football as he hit a beautiful free-kick which set Blackpool on their way to a 3-2 victory.

"That day was incredible," says the 26-year-old. "That whole season was incredible, to be honest. It was a special time for me as a player being at Blackpool. I was given an opportunity to express myself and play with good players, under a good manager.

"Cardiff were a good side, but I knew that day that there would be only one winner. We had done so well all season, and nothing was going to stop us."

Blackpool lasted just one season in the Barclays Premier League, at the end of which Adam sealed a dream move to Anfield.

He has gone from working with one of the most colourful managers in the game, Ian Holloway, to being tutored by one of the most successful, Kenny Dalglish.

"Kenny has put a lot of faith in me," says the Scotland international.

"He brought me here and I owe a lot to him because he gave me the chance to sign for such a wonderful club.

"I know what the manager will be like. It will not be about Kenny Dalglish, it will be about Liverpool winning a trophy, and a squad of 25 players, the backroom staff and supporters all going for the same thing. That's the objective. It is not about one individual. It's a massive club effort here, and it won't just be the manager who will be proud if we lift the cup."

While Adam admits settling fully into life as a Liverpool player has and will require time, it hasn't taken long for him to fulfil the main goal he set before making the transfer from Blackpool: playing in a final.

"When I came here, I said I wanted to win trophies," he says. "Fortunately the final of the first competition of the season has come around and we are in it.

"We've had to work hard to get here, and we will do our best to enjoy the occasion. But the only way we can do that is by winning it.

"At the end of the day you know the expectations as soon as you walk through the door. You see the players that have played here, and the amount of trophies that have been won. The expectation is here. It takes time for players to settle in. But we have a wonderful support, that will back the team to the hilt no matter how well they are playing.

"As long as the players are giving 110 per cent for the fans, the supporters will accept that. We try to do that every week, and there have been very few games this season where we have let ourselves down."

Having beaten Exeter, Brighton, Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City to reach the final, Liverpool now have to beat a side who are full of confidence having put themselves in the Championship play-off positions.

"Cardiff are a good side, with some good players," said Adam.

"There are a couple of my international teammates playing there, and they have got a good manager as well. It will be a tough game, but if we play anything like our best then we will have a great chance of winning the trophy.

"It will be a great atmosphere. It is 16 years since Liverpool have been to Wembley, and for Cardiff it will be a fantastic day out.

"They will want to win the game, of course, the same as us. They have nothing to lose. We will just go there and play the way we know we can.

"We have some players with great experience, some top internationals, and we will get out there and pass it.

"It should be a great occasion, and hopefully it will be enough to win us the trophy."
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luvgonzo · Feb 25, 2012

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/gerrard-we-want-to-win-it-for-you

Gerrard: We want to win it for you

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool owe it to their supporters to be celebrating Carling Cup glory at Wembley this weekend.

With the Reds looking to end their six year wait for a trophy, the skipper is determined to put smiles on the faces of Kopites all over the world by lifting the trophy above his head on Sunday afternoon.

"It's going to be a great occasion for the supporters," Gerrard said.

"They've waited long enough for a day like this. It's been a difficult few years but they have stuck with us and been brilliant.

"We know what the fans want and it's up to the players to give it back to them. I don't need to tell Liverpool fans how to make noise - I know they will be right behind us on the day. We've got to give everything for them.

"They deserve a trophy."

luvgonzo · Feb 25, 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17121838

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy 'not looking forward' to playing Cardiff

Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has conceded he is "not looking forward" to playing home-town club Cardiff City in Sunday's Carling Cup final at Wembley.

The former Cardiff captain may win his first major trophy in English football against his boyhood club but Bellamy will not celebrate if he scores.

Bellamy scored 11 goals in a loan spell at Cardiff last season as he fulfilled an ambition to play for the Bluebirds.

"My father is a Cardiff fan as are my family," said the Wales international.

"It is the club I used to go to when I was very young.

"I set one ambition in my life and that was to play for them and I was able to do that - but it is funny how football works out."

Bellamy was awarded the Cardiff captaincy when he signed on a season-long loan from Manchester City in August 2010 and played 35 games for the Championship side.

He was their star player but missed out on a visit to Wembley with Cardiff last season as the Welsh club failed to qualify for the Championship play-off final as they lost in a two-legged semi-final to Reading.

Bellamy was then signed by Liverpool from Manchester City in August 2011 so his first trip to Wembley will be against Cardiff but the 32-year-old insists it is not his dream final.

"It is a strange situation," he said.

"I've never played against them and it is not something I've really looked forward to doing to be honest.

"Football can sometimes be very unpredictable and I didn't really look at this and plan on playing a cup final against Cardiff or with them.

"I certainly wouldn't celebrate [if I score] - but I tried not to against Manchester City but with the occasion and the moment you can get carried away.

"I certainly have no aspirations of doing that but I've got to be on the pitch first."

Bellamy has recovered from the back problem that threatened his Carling Cup involvement after undergoing treatment.

He missed Sunday's FA Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion but is confident he will be fit for Sunday's final.

"My fitness is fine," said Bellamy.

"My back spasmed up after I came on against Manchester United a week and a bit ago, and it just got a little bit worse during the week instead of improving.

"The manager said 'look, if you need an injection then get it done now because we have a lot of games coming up. It's such a busy period, so get it sorted just in case'. I start training on Thursday, so I'm fine at the moment."

Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

Skrtel dreaming of first medal.

Fifty months on from the start of Martin Skrtel's Liverpool love affair, the Slovakian defender is hoping his long wait to secure a first trophy is now into its final week.

Cardiff City stand between Skrtel and the first Cup success of his career this weekend when Liverpool take on their Championship opponents at Wembley - and the in-form defender is keeping his fingers crossed he'll be celebrating silverware on Sunday afternoon.

"I'm looking forward to the game because it's my first final for Liverpool and the first final of my football career," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I've been close in the past and played in the semi-finals of the Champions League, but we didn't make it. That's why I can't wait for Sunday.

"I've been here four and a half years now and I am surprised it has taken so long to reach a final. Every player plays for trophies and for medals but they're not easy to win, especially here. There are three competitions here, with the league and the FA and Carling Cups. To me there is no difference between the FA Cup and the Carling Cup. If we can win on Sunday, then great.

"We want to win it for the fans. We have great support from them in every game we play, home or away. We want to say thank you to them for that and try and win the trophy."

Liverpool fans will turn one half of Wembley into a sea of red on Sunday afternoon as over 30,000 Kopites descend on the new national stadium for the first time. While this year's Carling Cup final sees Liverpool make their debut at the new-look Wembley, it won't be an altogether new experience for Skrtel.

"It is huge to play at Wembley," he said. "For me, it's one of the best stadiums in the world and any player would be proud to play there. I played in a friendly for Slovakia against England and it wasn't the best, we lost 4-0. It's best to forget about that and hope my next game there is better.

"I remember the old Wembley from the television and of course the new one is beautiful with 90,000 fans inside. It's always nice to play in a stadium like that because the atmosphere is brilliant."

With Kenny Dalglish not naming his Cup final team until the day of the game, Skrtel will join most of his teammates in enduring an anxious wait to discover if his name will be in the manager's starting eleven.

Having established himself as a first choice central defender over the course of what has been an impressive campaign, he is relishing the challenge of trying to drive Liverpool towards success.

"I am happy because I am playing every single game," he says. "We have kept lot of clean sheets and that's always good for a defender. I try to do my best in training and in every game, to show the manager I am able to play. There was a time when I wasn't the best and I know about that, but now I am playing how I want to play. I think it's about confidence. I play every game and have the confidence of the manager. Maybe that's the reason why I'm playing well.

"If we win this game then I hope it could be a turning point for us. A lot of things have changed at the club in the past two years and now we hope a better period is coming. Our target at the start of the season was to win a trophy and qualify for the top four. We're in one final, in the sixth round of the FA Cup and four points off the top four. I believe the season can be as good as we wished for.

"It will be a tough game on Sunday, though. Games against teams from the Championship are always hard. They may not have the same quality but they will fight and be more aggressive. I think it will be a similar game to the one against Brighton on Sunday. It will be tough, but we need to just look at ourselves and play our own game.

"Cardiff will be right up for it. They cannot lose, they can only win. Everyone says we are the favourites - but sometimes it's not easy for favourites in a final. Look at Arsenal last season. But I believe in our team and I know we have a quality with great players. We just need to show our best on the day."

And if the game goes to extra time and then penalties, can Kenny expect Skrtel to be volunteering for spot-kick duty?

"If I have to take one then I will, but I won't be in the first five," he quipped. "I took a few when I was younger but I missed two or three. It's best to leave it for the other players and to finish the game before 90 minutes."
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Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

Some classic pictures from Liverpool at Wembley!

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Magic Ted · Feb 25, 2012

I see you didn't add the infamous white suits Chris

Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

That Magic Assist By Luis Suarez said: ↑

I see you didn't add the infamous white suits Chris
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Magic Ted · Feb 25, 2012

Chris. said: ↑

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I think Bellamy looks quite dapper to be honest, can't say the same for the other 2 though

Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

Jordan: Let's make final step.

Jordan Henderson has explained how reaching the Carling Cup final was one of Liverpool's main objectives at the start of the campaign â and now he's determined to do all he can to bring the trophy back to Anfield. Kenny Dalglish fielded consistently strong sides throughout the tournament and, as a result, the Reds saw off both Barclays Premier League and lower league opposition to book a trip to Wembley.

The first game of the tournament saw the Reds overcome League One outfit Exeter City 3-1 at St James' Park - a game in which key players like Luis Suarez, Charlie Adam, Andy Carroll and Henderson all featured.

And the midfielder believes this show of respect for the trophy and its participants has been the key to securing a place in the final.

"We knew from day one that this competition was really important for us and we wanted to go all the way," Henderson told Liverpoolfc.tv. "So we've just got to make sure we perform on Sunday and make sure we take the trophy home.

"It's a massive achievement for us to get to Wembley and for my first season it's great to be involved in it. Everyone's looking forward to the game on Sunday. It's a really special stadium. It's really good being able to play there, so I'm sure everyone's looking forward to it. People dream about playing there when they see it so I think that's the reason why it's so special."

Henderson started all of the Carling Cup games the Reds have played so far this season, with the exception of the clash against Brighton at AMEX Stadium in September.

A determined cup run has seen them defeat Stoke courtesy of a Luis Suarez brace, beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and edge Manchester City over two legs of a thrilling semi-final.

"We've beat some good teams along the way and Cardiff are another good team and they'll make it difficult for us," said Henderson. "They've got some good players so we need to make sure we do it properly and approach the game in the right way and hopefully we'll be alright.

"I don't think we'll take them for granted. I think we'll prepare properly for the game, obviously it's a final and anything can happen. We just need to concentrate on us and make sure we play to the best of our ability.

"There's a lot of underdogs who have come and won in cup finals and semi-finals, so we know what's going to happen. We know that Cardiff are going to come out and play the game of their life. A cup final is a massive game for anyone so, like I say, we've just got to concentrate on ourselves, train hard and approach the game in the right way and just perform to the best we can."

Henderson has made a total of 31 appearances since his arrival from Sunderland in the summer and the young midfielder believes that the game time he has been afforded reflects the manager's faith in his abilities.

"It gives me confidence and that's all I want to do - just keep playing football and stay fit," said the England U21 international. "So if I can continue to do that I'll be happy. I've enjoyed (my first season here). I knew what it was going to be like coming to Liverpool, it's such a massive club.

"I'll just continue to enjoy my football, keep working hard and hope to keep improving. The fans have been brilliant so it's obviously nice to give something back to them (by reaching a final) but it's nice to give something back to everyone involved with the club as well."
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Magic Ted · Feb 25, 2012

Okay, officially everyone involved with Liverpool Fc has had an interview now! All pretty much stating the same things, just hope it doesn't all come back to bite us tomorrow

Chris. · Feb 25, 2012

That Magic Assist By Luis Suarez said: ↑

Okay, officially everyone involved with Liverpool Fc has had an interview now! All pretty much stating the same things, just hope it doesn't all come back to bite us tomorrow
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I swear i've seen players that have been interviewed more than once on the official website!

We've certainly had a lot of build-up on the OS!

Anyway, bringing it away from interviews... Let's have some proper build-up!

Predicted teams, predictions for the game and the rest.

I think we could see something like this.

----------Reina----------
Johnson-Skrtel-Agger-Enrique-
Kuyt--Gerrard--Adam--Bellamy--
------Suarez
------------Carroll

Bench: Doni, Kelly, Carra, Spearing, Shelvey, Downing, Kuyt.

Maybe Henderson for Kuyt. Hendo has played a lot in this competition so he could get the place ahead of Kuyt. Kelly has also had a lot of game time in this competition and hasn't done anything wrong.

Lots of selection dillemas for Kenny!

Chris. · Feb 26, 2012

It's match day!

Page_Moss_Kopite · Feb 26, 2012

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CCC · Feb 26, 2012

Chris. said: ↑

It's match day!

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I'm heading into work now so I'm done in time for the game. Come on you reds!

YNWA

SussexBlueBird · Feb 26, 2012

Train derailment from Liverpool delaying fans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17169947 Hope everyone makes it in time, enjoys the day and gets home safely

The Official Not606 Match Thread: Liverpool Vs Cardiff City. (Carling Cup Final)

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The Official Not606 Match Thread: Liverpool Vs Cardiff City. (Carling Cup Final)

SussexBlueBird Active Member

Skylarker PL High Commissioner

Chris. #bringbackchris

SussexBlueBird Active Member

Chris. #bringbackchris

Chris. #bringbackchris

luvgonzo Pisshead

luvgonzo Pisshead

Chris. #bringbackchris

Chris. #bringbackchris

Magic Ted Talulah

Chris. #bringbackchris

Magic Ted Talulah

Chris. #bringbackchris

Magic Ted Talulah

Chris. #bringbackchris

Chris. #bringbackchris

Page_Moss_Kopite Well-Known Member

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