[lfc-news] Gerrard: We're happy being the underdogs - Post

Liverpool Daily Postt, 25 Feb 2005
Gerrard: We're happy being the underdogs
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

STEVEN GERRARD believes all the pressure will be on Chelsea in this Sunday's Carling Cup Final as he aims to fulfil a boyhood dream in Cardiff.

Gerrard captains Liverpool for the first time in a major final this weekend against the club that hopes to lure him to Stamford Bridge thissummer.

Despite an impressive win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, Liverpool will head for the Millennium Stadium as underdogs to JoseMourinho's runaway Premiership leaders.

But the midfield star insists that suits Rafael Benitez's side, especially after a week in which Mourinho suffered the first consecutive defeats of his managerial reign against Newcastle in the FA Cup andBarcelona in Europe.

Gerrard said: "It'll be strange going into the final as underdogs. If you previewed a match between Liverpool and Chelsea a few years ago you'd have said Chelsea were the underdogs but what Roman Abramovich has done at Stamford Bridge meansthey are now the favourites.

"Sometimes that can work against you, though.

"We've got a good record at Cardiff and I think the pressure is on Chelsea. Everyone is expecting them to win it so we're going there with the intention of upsetting the odds. I think we've given it a good go against all the top sides at Anfield this season, including Chelsea, and
proved that the gap between them and ourselves is not too big.

"We are still a little bit off the top three, which is disappointing, but I'm sure that, given time, the manager can get us back up there."

Gerrard's future has been the subject of intense speculation since Chelsea's approach last summer.

But the midfielder is only interested in lifting his first piece of silverware this Sunday.

"It would a massive thing for me to lift that cup in Cardiff, especially with this being my first full season as captain," he added.

"I've always said it would be a dream come true to lift a trophy for Liverpool.

"I know the Carling Cup is not renowned as the most illustrious of competitions but it's still a major trophy and I'm sure if we win ityou'll see exactly what it means to me by the look on my face.

"During the course of your career you don't get the chance to play in many finals so when they do come along you have to grasp the opportunitywith both hands and try your best to win it.

"Chelsea will be well up for it because they are chasing three trophies but this is our best chance of lifting a trophy this season and we'll begiving it our best shot."

Milan Baros, meanwhile, is determined to make amends on Sunday for his last League Cup final appearance at the Millennium Stadium.

The Czech striker came on as a substitute in Liverpool's victory over Manchester United in 2003 but was replaced by Igor Biscan as GerardHoullier sought to protect his side's lead.

"That was difficult for me in 2003 because I came on and then five minutes before the end I came off again!" he said. "It wasn't easy forme and I didn't enjoy it.

"This will be a big test for us on Sunday but I am confident we can win it."