|
|
Liverpool's Stewart Downing hoping for domestic cup success
The Anfield winger hopes to put his unlucky history in the League Cup behind him and is looking to help his team-mates lift the first major silverware of the season
By Chris Butterworth JR
Liverpool winger Stewart Downing is hoping to make it third time lucky when Liverpool and Cardiff City compete for the League Cup on February 26.
Downing has endured a saga of League Cup final disappointment in recent years. The England international did win the competition with Middlesbrough in 2004 when they beat Bolton, but he was an unused substitute.
In 2010 his Aston Villa side were beaten by Manchester United in a close encounter, and he is hoping he can help Liverpool secure the first domestic trophy up for grabs this season.
The 27-year-old told Liverpool's official website: “The first one I was an unused sub for Middlesbrough. I would have liked to have played but I was still involved.
“The second one for Villa against United - a few things didn't go our way. [Nemanja] Vidic could have been sent off early on, they had a penalty and took the lead.
"We were a little bit unlucky on the day. It would have been nice to finish with a medal but it wasn't to be. Hopefully this time around I'll get one.
"You work hard to get there with the trips away to Exeter and Brighton - they stick in your mind. They were hard games so it'd be nice to finish the job off at Wembley."
Hosted by Joe Doyle
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
