WATCHING Fernando Torres score that late goal against Barcelona, going around Victor Valdes must’ve brought back some bitter sweet memories of the Spaniard during his time at Liverpool.
Whether he goes on to star in Chelsea’s Champions League win or not in a month’s time, it’ll be a kick in the teeth for every Red to watch him play in the European Cup final for Chelsea anyway.
Wasn’t a very long time ago when Liverpool could have laid claim to the European Cup as their area of specialisation.
If nothing else, simply for the fact that they beat Chelsea twice in pressure cooker circumstances to get to the final.
Obviously the Champions League is out of the question for now but there is still a chance to get some pride back when they face Chelsea at Wembley in early May.
Last time the two teams met in a kind of cup game with a trophy at stake for the winner, was the 2006-07 Community Shield.
Rewind your memories back to the day and a current player had a huge impact back then, making his first ever appearance for the club.
He even set up the winner for Peter Crouch to head in on the day. It’s the number 17 then, number 39 now – Craig Bellamy.
The man hasn’t been used as much by Kenny Dalglish this season as you’d have liked. That’s a whole different can of worms, to be opened another day, however it’s crucial Bellamy starts for Liverpool at Wembley.
Chelsea’s confidence will be sky high at the moment but their concentration may be off the target as far as the FA Cup goes.
They’d be too busy trying to make sure they can wipe away the memories of the 2008 Champions League Final.
If that’s going to be exploited, then Bellamy has to be an integral part of the team on the day. The only way Chelsea can be hit is early and with pace – enter the Welshman.
The man has proved beyond any doubt this season, he’s still a world class player and Dalglish has to exploit that.
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Especially with Luis Suarez often drifting down the flanks when he goes looking for the ball, it’s important to have Bellamy available to switch positions every now and again with the Uruguayan so there could still be another quick player running in to crosses, along with Steven Gerrard and Andy Carroll.
As for young Andy, he’s doing everything right over the last couple days, apart from finishing off his chances.
Get him in there during training and keep flying those crosses in until he can head them powerfully at a pin a mile away.
If there’s any hope for Liverpool in the FA Cup, it’s got to be ensured they don’t fall short the same way we’ve done time and again in the league this season.
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