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

EPL - Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stewart Downing
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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."


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