5 Reasons Liverpool Will Win FA Cup Final
Here’s five reasons why we think the Reds will be victorious in lifting the title.
Chelsea vs Liverpool is the FA Cup Final showdown this Saturday at Wembley. Heres five reasons why we think the Reds will be victorious in lifting the title;
1. Big Game Mentality
Liverpools struggles in the league have been well documented but they have one trophy in the cabinet already, and Saturday gives Dalglish and his men another chance to add Liverpools name to the honours roll. While Liverpool have struggled for consistency in the league, the one off nature of the cups seems to bring out the best in them. Even going behind to Everton in the Semi final did not stop them, while they would not have needed penalties in the Carling Cup final against Cardiff if they had shown a bit more defensive solidity having taking the lead in extra time. Their ability to fight back from losing positions and never stop believing could be key to them winning at Wembley. 2. Suarez, Gerrard, Carroll
Quite a season for Luis Suarez but his hattrick against Norwich at the weekend showed just what a class player he can be. That kind of clinical finishing has been largely missing for the duration of Liverpools season but if Suarez has found his shooting boots he could not have picked a better time. Steven Gerrards return from injury is also timely. With Lucas out until next season, Jordan Henderson still struggling to find his Anfield feet, Charlie Adam missing and Jay Spearing not yet able to bring drive to the midfield, Gerrard brings the link between midfield and attack as well the ability to fire in a crucial goal at a crucial time. Carroll may find himself starting on the bench but the former Newcastle man is back in the goals and will still remember his last visit to Wembley when he bagged the late winner against Everton. With John Terry carry a knock and a few other defenders missing from the Chelsea back line the scene is set for Carroll to come on and make an impact. 3. No Distractions
No Champions League final, no fight for fourth place, the FA Cup is the only thing on Liverpool minds. Nothing should be left in the changing room. Death or Glory. There will be no second chance. Also, having won the Carling Cup, Liverpool may look at the FA Cup as a bonus and that may free them up a little to play their natural game. Chelsea may be concerned with suffering a fatal blow to morale ahead of their Champions League final tie with Bayern Munich and they may freeze in the shadow of the Wembley arch. 4. Fresh and Fit
Dalglish selected a largely second string line-up against Fulham midweek, with only Martin Skrtel certain to start at Wembley. Chelsea tried to rest Lampard, Mata and Drogba but all three came on from the substitutes bench, while Terry, Ivanovic, Ramires and Mikel all started. Both teams suffered defeat but Liverpools key men spent the evening with their feet up on the sofa. 5. Wings
Chelsea play very narrow and their full backs can be overloaded. Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and Glenn Johnson love to attack and they may find plenty of space on Wembleys vast pitch to get on the ball and get into crossing areas. It may tempt Dalglish to start Andy Carroll, especially if Chelsea decide to play a defensive, back to the walls style that succeeded against Barcelona. In Stewart Downing Liverpool have the only true out and out winger on either side. Downing has yet to justify his £20million price tag but he was impressive in the Carling Cup final in February and another good game could lay the platform for a better season next time round.