Gerrard desperate for cup glory

Steven Gerrard is desperate to end Liverpool's six-year wait for silverware by guiding the side to Carling Cup victory this weekend.

Last Updated: 22/02/12 at 12:02 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Carling Cup. Click here to bet.

Gerrard: Desperate to lift the Carling Cup this weekend

Gerrard: Desperate to lift the Carling Cup this weekend

The Reds take on Cardiff at Wembley on Sunday hoping to pick up the first trophy of the season on offer.

Gerrard admits six seasons without any silverware is not good enough for a club like Liverpool, but he believes success on Sunday could be the catalyst for a return to better times at Anfield.

"Six years without a trophy for this football club isn't good enough," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo. "It's been too long and everyone knows that. It's time we delivered a trophy.

"Everyone knows the club has been through some tough times but we're moving forward now.

"We're all desperate to bring success back. It's what we're working so hard to achieve.

"I'm hoping this is just the beginning for us. It would be stupid to win the Carling Cup and then rest on our laurels. This is an important Cup for us but there are other big prizes we want to strive for.

"I honestly believe winning this Cup will be the catalyst for a successful period for the club. It will certainly give us the belief and confidence to deliver more.

"That's what happened back in 2001. We picked up the League Cup and then went on win the Treble. It gave us the confidence to go and win more trophies. Momentum builds and it gives everyone a taste of success.

"If we win on Sunday this group of players will experience what it's like to walk around a stadium full of your supporters going wild. That buzz and the tingles that gives you drives you on to want more.

"We're still in the FA Cup and challenging for a top four place in the league.

"There's no doubt winning the Carling Cup would have a really positive affect on us for the rest of this season. It would drive us on to achieve more."

Gerrard added: "Every time I played for Liverpool at Cardiff and led the team out there, there was a bit of me thinking 'if only this was Wembley'.

"Don't get me wrong, we had some great days in Cardiff and I've got some fantastic memories of playing at the Millennium Stadium, but I'd have preferred to have won those trophies at Wembley.

"When growing up as a kid, I dreamed about playing in cup finals at Wembley. Then when I became captain of Liverpool, I dreamed about leading the team out there."

Wembley holds special memories for the Reds skipper as he made his England debut at the old ground 12 years ago before captaining his country at the new stadium.

And Gerrard cannot wait to lead out his side wearing the red shirt of Liverpool - the club he has played for during his entire career.

"Wembley cup finals are magnificent occasions. I've been there as a supporter and as a player. I know everyone is excited about Sunday and I can't wait to get back there.

"To finally get the chance to achieve that with Liverpool will be amazing. I've experienced both the old and the new Wembley and I can tell you it's a very special place.

"You walk out and are hit by the number of people there. It's new and it's modern but the buzz is just the same as it was.

"There's the drive up to it, up Wembley Way. Instead of the twin towers, there's now the massive arch. It's a magnificent arena and one of the best I've ever played in."

Sunday will be Gerrard's fourth League Cup final and the Reds skipper is desperate to banish his most recent memory of playing in the final after Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea in Cardiff in 2005.

Gerrard headed the ball into his own net to allow the Blues to draw level at 1-1 before Chelsea eventually went on to win the contest in extra-time.

"I've experienced both sides of it," Gerrard said.

"The own goal I scored and losing to Chelsea in 2005 was one of the lowest days I've had as a footballer. Losing a cup final is a horrible feeling.

"I've won this cup twice (in 2001 and 2003) and now I'm going for the hat-trick. That's my goal.

"We just need to make sure we come away with the right result. As long as we get the right result it will be a day to cherish.

"If we win on Sunday this group of players will experience what it's like to walk around a stadium full of your supporters going wild. That buzz and the tingles that gives you drives you on to want more.

"I'll be doing everything I can on Sunday to ensure we come away from Wembley with that cup on our bus."

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