MX23RW : Tuesday, April 23 17:59:40| >> :60:1642:1642:

Simon Mignolet: 'Steven Gerrard won't let us dream about FA Cup final'

Simon Mignolet says that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has forbidden the team from discussing the prospect of reaching the FA Cup final.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has insisted that none of his teammates are looking past FA Cup semi-final opponents Aston Villa and dreaming of the final.

The Reds booked their place in Wembley on Wednesday when Philippe Coutinho's 70th-minute winner proved enough to see off Blackburn Rovers and secure a last-four spot.

With Villa fighting for their Premier League lives, Brendan Rodgers's side are expected to reach the final, where either Arsenal or Reading await on May 30.

Should they reach the showpiece, it could represent captain Steven Gerrard's last game in a 17-year senior career at the club, and Mignolet says that the legendary figure has forbidden any talk of the final.

"Nobody is talking about it. Stevie is the first one to acknowledge that," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "He is the first one to acknowledge that we can't have any extra pressure on the team.

"He won't let us think in a different way. We just want to focus on Villa and the games before that.

"Before we speak about the final, we have got to get through the semi-final and the only thing we can keep in mind now is how to get past Villa. Then we will see what comes. Villa will be tough."

Liverpool face the Villans on April 19.

ID:216206: cacheID:216206:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2531:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a header during the FA Cup Third Round match between AFC Wimbledon and Liverpool at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on January 5, 2015
Read Next:
Ince: 'Gerrard deserves FA Cup send-off'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal33235577265174
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!