Saturday, April 14, 2012

Dalglish Puts Faith In Liverpool FC Character For Wembley

Kenny Dalglish is convinced Liverpool FC have the character to defy the formbook by beating Everton to reach a second domestic cup final this season.

Having already claimed the Carling Cup in February, Dalglish’s side returns to Wembley this afternoon to take on the neighbours in their FA Cup semi-final.

While Everton are among the Premier League’s form teams, Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 triumph at Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday was only a third win in 14 top-flight games this season.

The victory came despite playing more than an hour with 10 men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Alexander Doni.

And Dalglish believes the Ewood Park performance of an understrength side underlines the togetherness of his squad ahead of the 218th Merseyside derby.

“The other night showed you how important the players can be for each other,” said the Liverpool FC manager.

“With 10 men we showed great determination. We had six players aged 23 or under on the pitch and the young lads got great help from players around them like Maxi Rodriguez, Craig Bellamy and Martin Skrtel.

“It was rewarding to get that win as everyone worked so hard together. It was helpful for us to get that positive result.

“We have to ensure we're ready physically, mentally and tactically for Saturday.”

Although Liverpool have won both Premier League derbies this season, Dalglish admits this afternoon’s game is the biggest of the campaign.

“We need to stand up and compete,” he said. “Some people see it as success to get as far as the semi-final. But when you get that far you want to go on and win it.

“Winning a trophy is the more important thing. In order to do that, we need to win the semi-final.

“Whatever gets said beforehand doesn't matter. It will all come down to what happens on that pitch.

“What we do on the day is going to be far more important that what we've done at any other stage of the season. The build-up is irrelevant.”

While today is Dalglish’s seventh FA Cup semi-final as a player or manager with Liverpool, he admits the nature of the opposition adds to the significance of the occasion.

“Playing a semi-final is special, playing at Wembley is special but then you add Everton into it, our local rivals, and that makes it a wee bit extra special,” said the manager. “For us there are three ingredients there and we know what the rewards are.

“It's not like any other game. We won't try to kid anyone else that it is like that.

“We know we are up against a team in a really good run of form who we know will be well up for it.

“We know what we need to compete against.”

With Doni and Pepe Reina both suspended, third-choice goalkeeper Brad Jones will be between the sticks at Wembley – creating a piece of history by becoming the first Liverpool FC player to make his first four appearances for the club in four different competitions.

“Brad will be happy he got a few minutes under his belt at Blackburn,” Dalglish added.

“He’ll be excited as everyone else is about playing. That's what the squad is there for – to cover for every eventually.

“It’s credit to Doni that he kept himself fit and active and sharp, and Brad’s the same.”

Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez, Jose Enrique and Stewart Downing, who all sat out the Blackburn victory, will all come back into contention while Glen Johnson, Martin Kelly and Daniel Agger, who have each been sidelined in recent weeks, could all start.

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