Charlie Adam warns teammates against complacency ahead of Liverpool's League Cup clash with Cardiff City

The Merseysiders feature in a cup final for the first time since 2006 on Sunday and the Scot midfielder knows it would be dangerous to take their lower-league opponents lightly

By Ross Jackson

EPL-Fulham v Liverpool-Charlie Adam
Getty Images

Charlie Adam has warned his Liverpool teammates against underestimating Cardiff ahead of Sunday’s Carling Cup final.

Adam knows all too well the potential for upset at Wembley, having caused one himself in 2010 when underdogs Blackpool beat the Bluebirds 3-2 in the Championship playoff final.

The Scot says the experience taught him not to take any opposition lightly and insists Liverpool will respect Malky Mackay’s side.

"When I played there in the playoff final it was a great occasion for Blackpool, because we were underdogs," he told reporters.

"You always give respect to the opposition, no matter who you're playing."

Sunday's final will mark a hat trick of visits to new Wembley for Cardiff, with the Welsh side having also suffered FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Portsmouth in 2008.

And Adam acknowledged that Cardiff are a club on the up and cannot be underestimated.

 "They've come a long way, they're a good side, with a good manager and they are on the right road," explained Adam. "They've been in the playoffs for a number of years but they've just not had the luck to get to the Premier League - that's the difference."

"We only concentrate on the next game - and the next game for us is the Carling Cup final."



 
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