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View from the Kop

Time To Stand Up and Be Counted

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NOW let’s step back and have a think about this Saturday’s final. Based on this season’s record and head to head, it’s an even match-up. Historically speaking from the point of view of cup competitions, Liverpool have the edge.

Of course not the big ones in the recent past – think back to those Champions League ties lost a few years back. Home draws and last minute goals have given Chelsea the edge.

Although this season alone, Liverpool have beaten them twice at Stamford Bridge. That’s no mean feat. Having said that, Liverpool’s performances generally this season have been more miss than hit.

Chelsea themselves have had problems, but under Roberto di Matteo, they’ve found some new life, especially Fernando Torres. There are a few things that might help Liverpool’s cause this Saturday though.

Firstly, Chelsea will be keeping an eye on the Champions League final so their season may not be as dependant up on the result of Saturday as Liverpool’s. Meanwhile, the Reds need this trophy in the bag to justify something by the end of the season. Merely a Carling Cup, though it counts as a trophy, wouldn’t go anywhere near justifying all that money spent in the summer.

It’s not even a question of money. Decisions were made which were wrong from top to bottom. Letting Raul Meireles go, sticking with Jordan Henderson on the right flank for most of the season, waiting until the final 5 minutes to bring on substitutes…and there’s probably more.

Winning the FA Cup would at least go some way in showing some return for whatever was done throughout the season. Whether it was an actual long game on Dalglish’s part which will come to life next year, or just another series of mistakes – we’ll have to see what happens after the Euros.

This Saturday though, Liverpool have the chance to demonstrate a certain cut throat attitude they managed all year in the cup competitions. Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-finals, Manchester United in the FA Cup, even Chelsea. They weren’t just beaten – they were dominated on to a certain extent.
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That having said, other teams have also been run ragged for 90 minutes by Liverpool this season – without an end product, or a mistake at the back which cost them the game altogether. This can’t be afforded on Saturday. The semi-final was a bit of a lucky escape against Everton.

They made the error at the back as well as Liverpool. Chelsea may not be so giving. Certainly not the defence that frustrated Barcelona over two legs. It’s now or never for the Reds. Win this cup and maybe, just maybe it’ll be acceptable to call the season somewhat a success.

Anything else and the dismal performances will be overshadowing a penalty shoot-out win over Cardiff City.

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Broadcast Journalist and Football writer.

Twitter handle @abhijan_barua

3 comments

  • Every defending mistakes be the cause of Liverpool’s defeat avoiding will be the key point for the Red to win the FA cup as we have the capacity to beat Chelsea Liverpool the only team can win 2 cup YNWA

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