Liverpool v Cardiff: how the Reds can win the cup
It's the first major trophy of the season, with Liverpool and Cardiff City prepared to do battle in the 2012 Carling Cup Final. The Reds may be favourites, but unlike Cardiff it's their first trip to the new Wembley, having last tasted cup glory in the Welsh capital itself, while London's showpiece venue was being rebuilt. Kenny Dalglish's men will be wary of being turned over by their Welsh counterparts and, despite being firm underdogs, Cardiff will be looking to evoke the spirit of their 1927 FA Cup-winning side, when they famously overcame Arsenal. Here, talkSPORT takes a look at the key battles and where the final will most likely be won and lost…
LIVERPOOL'S ATTACK V CARDIFF'S DEFENCE
Craig Bellamy has been passed fit to face his hometown club and, should the feisty forward face his old team you can bank on him being a constant thorn in the side of the Cardiff defence. Andy Carroll, meanwhile, has finally found some form and showed it in his last outing with a goal and all-round menacing display against Brighton and will be vying to start up top, supported by the livewire Luis Suarez. The question for Kenny Dalglish is whether he starts with Carroll up front and, if so, how he structures his midfield with support for the big man in mind (Bellamy, Downing and Kuyt will all be considered for wide roles), assuming Luis Suarez is a certainty to start. For the Bluebirds, the return of captain Mark Hudson is vital to Cardiff's hopes of keeping Liverpool's Uruguayan quiet - supported by Ben Turner, both men will have to be switched on. Matters could become a family affair if Malky Mackay decides to start Anthony Gerrard, the cousin of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, but it is more likely he will be on the bench.
VERDICT: Whoever Dalglish starts in attack should be good enough to severely trouble the Bluebirds rearguard and the Reds will be looking to score early and rattle the underdogs.
MIDFIELD BATTLE
Former Aston Villa midfielder Peter Whittingham's ability to dictate play in the middle has seen him grab 11 assists this season and, in the absence of Lucas, Liverpool will need someone to get in his face to prevent Cardiff settling on the ball.Charlie Adam will be hoping he is tasked with setting the Reds' tempo, but he will have to escape the clutches of ferocious Icelandic international, Aron Gunnarsson. Jordan Henderson could take Liverpool's final midfield spot and this would be the perfect stage for the England man to silence his critics and put in a big display. For Cardiff, Don Cowie and Filip Kiss are expected to start as the Bluebirds aim to pack the midfield - whether Liverpool play three in the middle, with Gerrard ordered to support a lone front man, or go with two out-and-out attackers and less numbers in the centre of the park could have a big influence on the openness of the game.
VERDICT: Cardiff can't be overawed by their Premier League opponents and if they can assert themselves in midfield - particularly with Whittingham on the ball - they could give Liverpool a real game. Steven Gerrard's experience should be key for Liverpool in calling the tempo.
CARDIFF'S ATTACK V LIVERPOOL'S DEFENCE
The Reds boast a tight defensive unit this season and have conceded just 23 goals in the league, second only to leaders Manchester City. Cardiff's Kenny Miller will most likely adopt a lone striker role against them and the Scotland forward will have his work cut out against the likes of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger. Miller will be relying on attacking midfielder Joe Mason breaking free and providing him with good service, but it will be imperative that the Scot takes any chances he gets against a resolute Liverpool back line.
VERDICT: It is going to be a long day for Miller and despite his best efforts, Liverpool should have enough to cope.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Liverpool knocked Cardiff out of the Carling Cup fourth round in 2007 with a 2-1 victory. Steven Gerrard grabbed the winner as Robbie Fowler made a hero's return to Anfield in a Bluebirds shirt. The Welsh side's fans can take some heart, however, in the knowledge that incredibly they hold the better head-to-head record, with 18 wins to Liverpool's nine.
ROUTE TO WEMBLEY
Kenny Dalglish has commendably treated the competition with respect and the Merseyside club have overcome difficult ties against Manchester City (home and away), Chelsea (away) and Stoke (away) to fully deserve their spot in the final.
Cardiff have certainly put in the graft in their bid for cup success, with four of their matches going into extra-time and two of those to penalties. The Bluebirds have only played one Premier League side, knocking out crisis club Blackburn in the quarter-final. However, their semi-final victory over Crystal Palace on penalties showed just how much heart Malky Mackay's side have. The Bluebirds will be hoping for another stellar performance from their penalty hero goalkeeper, Tom Heaton.
LIVERPOOL LAST FIVE: WWDLW
CARDIFF LAST FIVE: DLLWL
ODDS (LADBROKES)
Liverpool: 11/4
Cardiff: 8/1
Draw: 10/3
TALKSPORT PREDICTION:
Liverpool should have this one in the bag. While they are far superior all over the pitch, not possessing a ruthless streak has harmed Daglish's side this season, so do not expect goals galore. A comfortable 2-0 victory will bring the Reds their first silverware in six years.