Tonight Liverpool will be meeting Stoke City in a Carling Cup affair. This will be the 2nd time they met this term witch Stoke won, a 1-0 result in a league encounter. Liverpool had themselves to blame when they had so many chances but just couldn't convert them.

KD said they will approach tonight's game with the same attitude as before. For the last 2 league games, 'not converting chances' has been the problem for Liverpool. They created a lot of chances against Man Utd and it was the same last Saturday. Other than the fantastic saves made by the opposition's goal keeper, the team should have scored more goals. Both games ended in a 1-1 scoreline.

Having missing out from Europe this season and besides finishing in the top four, the other objectives is to win some trophies and the Carling Cup should be treated as a primary target. We have been without silveware for the past 5 seasons. Winning this cup will add the confidence to the squad. It's a bit intriguing when I'm wondering who's going to play tonight. Although the line-up will be announce in a couple of hours, but I have been doing some guessing since yesterday. KD and Liverpool will be taking a serious approach in every domestic cup this season. So, do not put aside any 'big name players' absence for tonight's clash against Stoke.

Lucas will be coming back from his suspension and I'd reckon Stevie G will start as well. Carroll might get the nod too. It'll be interesting to see whether can Carroll step up to the plate if he is given the chance to start. He is definitely under the micro-scope as he has not been performing as what people wanted him too. Especially in scoring lots of goals. I believe Carroll will come good. He was a great player and a good striker when he was with Newcastle and even scored against us Liverpool. Having coming to to Anfield with a that huge price-tag on his shoulder would have added unnecessary pressure onto him.

Maybe we, as fans can just stop focusing on him. Let him play his game and let him focue and worry less about the pressure from the fans. Less attention might help him to produce a more convincing performances for the team. Other than that, it is important for Liverpool to win tonight and progress to the next stage of the tournament. Liverpool is about winning trophies. Be it the league, the FA cup, the European cup. We need to start re-filling our trophy cabinet, which has been collecting dust for more than 5 seasons.

A winning cup medal plus a top four finish, will pave the way to re-igniting the good old days of success and glory.

By Kamal Shah

Edited & Published by Administrator