Friday, April 13, 2012

Carragher Expects Close Encounter

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes this weekend's FA Cup semi-final with Everton is evenly balanced.

Everton go into the game as the team in form having won four of their last five games, while Liverpool have lost three of their last five outings.

David Moyes' side arguably goes into the Wembley showdown as favourites, but Carragher insists there are no favourites when the two local rivals lock horns.

"Everton are doing well at the moment, we had a great win at Blackburn on the back of not such great form, but in that run of bad form we had a great win over Everton," Carragher told Sky Sports News.

"It is evenly balanced and whoever is the favourite doesn't really matter."

The game will be a particularly poignant affair on the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Players from both teams involved will also wear black armbands in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who died on April 15 1989 at the FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest and a minute's silence will be held at Wembley.

Carragher is hoping that Liverpool can give their fans a boost ahead of Sunday's memorial with victory over Everton.

"It is always a special weekend this time of year," added Carragher. "It is a difficult weekend for the club, for the families of the 96 and friends with the memorial on Sunday and hopefully we give them a little smile on their face for Sunday with the result on Saturday hopefully."

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