Xabi Alonso insists Liverpool have to show their ruthless side to conquer Everton – and keep in the hunt for silverware.
The Kop kings were stopped in their tracks on Monday when Tim Cahill shattered their Premier League charge with his crushing late equaliser.
It meant that Manchester United stayed top of the table on goal difference with an ominous game in hand as Liverpool yet again threw points away.
This Sunday sees a re-run of that passionate Merseyside derby at Anfield in the FA Cup, which will provide the chance for Liverpool to take revenge on their close neighbours for derailing their title challenge.
However, Alonso knows that the Reds will need to go for the jugular when they get the chance – and effectively end Everton’s season in one game.
The Spaniard said: “This is our chance to take real revenge against Everton.
“The players were gutted and destroyed by the late goal we conceded against Everton, but we plan to make sure that the fans will be celebrating after Sunday.
“Tim Cahill’s goal was unjust because we had worked so hard for victory and Steven Gerrard scored a fabulous goal. We deserved victory, but it wasn’t to be.
“There will be just as much passion for this game and maybe more because there will be more Everton fans at Anfield for this FA Cup game.
“However, we want to make them cry and the way to do that is by being ruthless and taking control of the game.
“We need to make sure we score when we are on top, and maybe more than once, and then stay calm and hold our nerve.
“It is important to show mental strength as well as quality in our football.”
Liverpool have incredibly drawn five of their last 10 games in all competitions, which has put a skid under their season.
But almost more worryingly is the fact that they have only won two of their last six league games, drawing the other four.
That is eight points thrown down the drain, while Manchester United have been flying high and beating every team in their path, including a 3-0 hammering of Chelsea.
The FA Cup might not exactly be Liverpool’s main aim this season – especially given that they have an enticing last-16 tie in Europe against Real Madrid coming up – but getting back to winning ways is important.
And to do that Alonso knows that Liverpool will have to stop his fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta, who helped set up Cahill’s goal on Monday. The midfielder added: “We all know what a good player Mikel Arteta is and he showed that against us on Monday.
“He’s a very good friend, but we know we can’t give him a chance with a free-kick because he’s capable of punishing us.
“The less Arteta touches the ball, the better for us because he is Everton’s key player.
“These derbies are always very difficult for the players and even more so given that it is two within seven days of each other.
“The fact that we have Fernando Torres getting back to full fitness is a real key for us because he is so important.
“We have played a lot of games this season without him and managed to be at the top of the Premier League and get a long way in the Champions League.
“We will be a far more dangerous side with him in the team and although a lot of people are talking about the Premier League, we want to win the FA Cup as it’s such an historic trophy.
“We won it a few years ago and want to repeat that this year and start getting back to winning ways.”
The Kop kings were stopped in their tracks on Monday when Tim Cahill shattered their Premier League charge with his crushing late equaliser.
It meant that Manchester United stayed top of the table on goal difference with an ominous game in hand as Liverpool yet again threw points away.
This Sunday sees a re-run of that passionate Merseyside derby at Anfield in the FA Cup, which will provide the chance for Liverpool to take revenge on their close neighbours for derailing their title challenge.
However, Alonso knows that the Reds will need to go for the jugular when they get the chance – and effectively end Everton’s season in one game.
The Spaniard said: “This is our chance to take real revenge against Everton.
“The players were gutted and destroyed by the late goal we conceded against Everton, but we plan to make sure that the fans will be celebrating after Sunday.
“Tim Cahill’s goal was unjust because we had worked so hard for victory and Steven Gerrard scored a fabulous goal. We deserved victory, but it wasn’t to be.
“There will be just as much passion for this game and maybe more because there will be more Everton fans at Anfield for this FA Cup game.
“However, we want to make them cry and the way to do that is by being ruthless and taking control of the game.
“We need to make sure we score when we are on top, and maybe more than once, and then stay calm and hold our nerve.
“It is important to show mental strength as well as quality in our football.”
Liverpool have incredibly drawn five of their last 10 games in all competitions, which has put a skid under their season.
But almost more worryingly is the fact that they have only won two of their last six league games, drawing the other four.
That is eight points thrown down the drain, while Manchester United have been flying high and beating every team in their path, including a 3-0 hammering of Chelsea.
The FA Cup might not exactly be Liverpool’s main aim this season – especially given that they have an enticing last-16 tie in Europe against Real Madrid coming up – but getting back to winning ways is important.
And to do that Alonso knows that Liverpool will have to stop his fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta, who helped set up Cahill’s goal on Monday. The midfielder added: “We all know what a good player Mikel Arteta is and he showed that against us on Monday.
“He’s a very good friend, but we know we can’t give him a chance with a free-kick because he’s capable of punishing us.
“The less Arteta touches the ball, the better for us because he is Everton’s key player.
“These derbies are always very difficult for the players and even more so given that it is two within seven days of each other.
“The fact that we have Fernando Torres getting back to full fitness is a real key for us because he is so important.
“We have played a lot of games this season without him and managed to be at the top of the Premier League and get a long way in the Champions League.
“We will be a far more dangerous side with him in the team and although a lot of people are talking about the Premier League, we want to win the FA Cup as it’s such an historic trophy.
“We won it a few years ago and want to repeat that this year and start getting back to winning ways.”
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