This final had the potential to go the same way with Liverpool facing Championship opposition in Cardiff City. As a Cardiff born Liverpool fan from the day I set foot in Anfield in 1990 to watch Kenny’s men beat Chelsea 4-1 my allegiance was never in doubt for this game. Having been born in Cardiff I always want to see them do well but never at the expense of Liverpool. Many friends in South Wales forgot about the sides they support week in, week out to cheer Cardiff on against Liverpool. Whether through their hatred to see Liverpool doing well or lack of actual support for their own team I was in a somewhat minority wanting to see Stevie G lift a trophy at Wembley last Sunday.
I do see a lot of Cardiff’s games due to regional television viewing and can honestly say that Cardiff City played their hearts out at Wembley last weekend. Every player on that pitch gave their best performance they had given for the Welsh club. To their credit they ran Liverpool close pushing the game to penalties after a hard fought 120 minutes of thrilling football. Yes Liverpool dominated the stats whilst not putting in such an inspiring performance but this as a result was quite an even encounter. Personally I think prior to the introduction of Dirk Kuyt the only two Liverpool players who put in performances worthy of a Wembley final were Martin Skrtel and Stewart Downing. Skrtel is really starting to become more consistent and is starting to draw comparisons to former Anfield legend Sami Hyypia, a compliment of the highest order. As for Downing this was by far his finest performance in a Liverpool top and he actually looked like the player we paid £20m in the summer for. Kevin McNaughton is probably still dizzy now from being turned inside out time and time again by Downing. He delivered some world class crosses into the danger area which were unfortunately not complimented by the poor positioning of our strikers as these chances were wasted.
When he came off the bench Dirk Kuyt showed the type of performance which should show every single Liverpool fan why they should hold on to the Dutch workhorse. He is ‘the perfect squad player’ in my eyes. He doesn’t complain if he’s on the bench, he always gives you 110% for as long as he is on the pitch and he has adopted this club as his own and his passion shows through his performances. When he scored an important penalty in the shootout you could see the fire and passion in the Dutchman as he celebrated. Sometimes in games a workhorse is needed and Kuyt has an uncanny ability of finding himself in the right place at the right time.
After a world class penalty save from Heaton prevented Gerrard from scoring in the shootout I thought it was not going to be our day. Then thanks to a Miller miss, I willed Adam to give us the advantage whilst the Scotsman opted to bring the game to the people sat in row S. Fortunately for Liverpool others held their nerve and weight of the world attached itself to Anthony Gerrard’s shoulders as he passed the ball passed the Liverpool post. Cue scenes of jubilation that Liverpool fans have craved year after year without success. Cue the emotions of a manager who is Liverpool Football Club and everything that is good about it. You could see that this win meant so much to so many players and could act as a real catalyst for the project that is currently well underway at the Anfield club courtesy of owners FSG.
It was positive to see messers Henry and Werner enjoying the win and the celebrations accompanied by the beautiful Linda Pizzuti. Financial investment is important but to have owners who share the beliefs and the ethos of the club and its past ensures we are all signing from the same hymn sheet. The team need to capitalise on this success and replicate these winning ways in the Premier League. The perfect opportunity presents itself this weekend with Arsenal visiting Anfield. We could really bring ourselves back into the Champions League 4th spot qualification with a win over Arsene Wenger’s team. Unfortunately we will have to sweat on the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard thanks to a ridiculous decision to start him against Holland only 72 hours after the Wembley final.
There are so only so many times you would expect Liverpool to be in this position to win a single game to propel themselves back into the 4th spot race, with the side seemingly ruining any hopes of qualification, time and time again. This time it is different though and this is a team with that winning feeling and Wembley is still fresh in the mind. We need a confident start from the off with high intensity play, quick passing and movement, stretching Arsenal all over the pitch. Despite their win against Spurs last weekend this Arsenal team is very vulnerable at the back. It is not certain as to whether Van Persie will play as he too picked up an injury midweek. It will be a packed house at Anfield Saturday lunchtime and we will need the 12th man to be in fine form to cheer Kenny’s men on to victory.