Jose Enrique: Liverpool winning the FA Cup would make up for failing to reach Champions League

May 4, 2012 9:05:00 AM

The Spaniard believes that sealing a domestic double with victory over Chelsea on Saturday can help his team-mates forget about their failure to secure a top-four finish

EXCLUSIVE
By Francisco Delgado

Liverpool defender Jose Enrique believes that lifting the FA Cup can ease the pain of missing out on Champions League qualification.

Despite having the opportunity to seal a domestic cup double, after lifting the League Cup in February, with victory over Chelsea on Saturday, the Reds have slumped to a disappointing eighth in the Premier League.

But the Spaniard insists that a win at Wembley will make up for failure to achieve the Merseyside outfit's pre-season target of a top-four finish.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com, he said: "I see a lot of excitement among the fans because we have a great chance of pulling off an historic double in English football.

"It's true that we are disappointed with not having won a Champions League place for next season, but I think the pain will be lessened by winning two titles in the cups. However, we know that we should have had a better season in the Premier League.

"I expect an even match but I hope there isn't the same tension that we experienced in the Carling Cup with extra time and penalties.

"Returning to Wembley and winning a second cup final in the same season won't be easy and less so in England, but that's our aim going into the game on Saturday."

The Spaniard also expressed his belief that neither side has the advantage in the Wembley showpiece, despite the Blues' run of good form under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo highlighted by their recent Champion League semi-final victory over Barcelona.

"I insist that there is no favourite for Saturday. The two teams are evenly matched and either can win it," he continued.

"Nobody can deny that Chelsea have improved a lot in recent times but that will have no bearing. On Saturday the circumstances will be different and the chances will be equal.

"The two teams are under pressure because it's a big final and we are two clubs with a lot of history, and therefore both of us will be obliged to win the title. But that responsibility is what every player likes.

"Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres are scoring goals, but so too is Luis Suarez. In the attacking aspect I think the final will be very even.

"I know Andy Carroll well and he is clearly improving. Strikers shouldn't be judged only by goals but also by the work they do for others. And with Carroll's work, lots of chances are created for his team-mates.

"I don't expect an end-to-end game from the first whistle, but a tactical and tiring match. And logically, the one who goes ahead will have a bigger chance of winning.

"Stopping players like the Chelsea strikers and those attacking from behind won't be an easy task, but we have done it before and this Liverpool side is capable of winning the final."

The 26-year-old went on to insist that he is glad to have joined the Reds, despite former club Newcastle challenging for a top-four spot.

He added: "Personally I am happy because I left Newcastle to fight for titles and in my first year I have the opportunity to win two - and playing as a starter."

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Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

5:03 PM BST

We’re still awaiting the confirmed line-ups but if you’re looking for the likely starting 11s, let me point you in the direction of our match preview. Also, if you want an excellent and entertaining analysis of tonight’s fascinating final, well, how does a James Richardson-hosted debate involving Jonathan Wilson and Paulo Sousa tickle your fancy? The prince of puns, a true titan of tactical thinking and a two-time Champions League winner - a veritable dream team, I think you'll agree.

4:59 PM BST

The injury-enforced absence of Dortmund’s Bayern-bound playmaker, Gotze, is of course the principal talking point in terms of team news. The 20-year-old’s unavailability is clearly a hammer blow for die Schwarzgelben, but, as team-mate Kevin Grosskreutz pointed out this week, Dortmund destroyed Bayern in last year’s DFB Pokal final without Gotze.

4:54 PM BST

But what do the fans think? Well, yesterday Goal’s roving reporter Kris Voakes went along to the Uefa Champions Festival, which is being staged at the Olympic Park in Stretford, and he spoke with supporters from both sides.

Johannes, Munich, told Goal: "We haven't lost to Dortmund this season, and though we lost two finals [in 2010 and 2012], we are hoping the third time is a charm.

"Last year the English stole our trophy," interrupted his friend Benjamin, "but we are going to take in back to Munich where it belongs."

But Dortmund fan Nicolas says the loss of Mario Gotze to injury is not too much of a concern for Jurgen Klopp's side: “We have Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski, and yes, we will be fine without Gotze. We will win 2-0.”

4:44 PM BST

However, Dortmund simply cannot be discounted. They relish the role of underdogs and are not in the least bit afraid of their illustrious rivals, having now gone six Bundesliga games without defeat against die Roten. The last time these two met in a final, in last season’s DFB Pokal, Dortmund ran out 5-2 winners. As coach Jurgen Klopp pointed out this week: “We’re not the best team in the world, but we can beat the best team in the world."

4:43 PM BST

Bayern, of course, start as overwhelming favourites to prevail this evening, and understandably so. Not only did they mercilessly batter Barcelona into a shockingly tame capitulation at Camp Nou, they are also coming off the back of a record-breaking Bundesliga campaign which they finished a staggering 25 points clear of runners-up Dortmund, whom they are unbeaten against in four meetings this season.

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