Preview: Carling Cup final - Liverpool vs. Cardiff City
© PA Photos
Liverpool and Cardiff City each have an opportunity to snatch the first domestic trophy of the season when they meet at Wembley on Sunday for the Carling Cup final.
The Merseyside club are aiming to clinch silverware for the first time in six years, while the Bluebirds could nab the trophy as they continue to push for Premier League promotion.
Kenny Dalglish, who has a number of potential starting lineups to choose from, may choose a 4-5-1 formation with Luis Suarez alone up front over fellow striker Andy Carroll.
Having five across the midfield will allow the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, who faces his old club on Sunday, to use the wide areas to provide service to the Uruguayan.
Despite Jamie Carragher's wealth of experience, Dalglish is likely to pick Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel to hold the defensive line due to the pair's impressive partnership this season.
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has a selection headache for the final as he continues to deal with a number of injuries. While Mark Hudson could make a return from injury, Mackay is likely to place Ben Turner in the defensive role.
Anthony Gerrard, who is cousin to the Liverpool captain, should be awarded a place in the back line, with Newcastle United loanee Haris Vuckic and Don Crowie holding the midfield. Kenny Miller is likely to start up front on his own for the Championship side.
Current form:
Liverpool: DWWDLW
Cardiff: WDLLWL
Possible lineups:
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Kuyt, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson, Bellamy; Suarez
Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Turner, Gerrard, Taylor; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Vuckic, Mason; Miller
Sports Mole says: 2-0
The Merseyside club are aiming to clinch silverware for the first time in six years, while the Bluebirds could nab the trophy as they continue to push for Premier League promotion.
Kenny Dalglish, who has a number of potential starting lineups to choose from, may choose a 4-5-1 formation with Luis Suarez alone up front over fellow striker Andy Carroll.
Having five across the midfield will allow the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy, who faces his old club on Sunday, to use the wide areas to provide service to the Uruguayan.
Despite Jamie Carragher's wealth of experience, Dalglish is likely to pick Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel to hold the defensive line due to the pair's impressive partnership this season.
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has a selection headache for the final as he continues to deal with a number of injuries. While Mark Hudson could make a return from injury, Mackay is likely to place Ben Turner in the defensive role.
Anthony Gerrard, who is cousin to the Liverpool captain, should be awarded a place in the back line, with Newcastle United loanee Haris Vuckic and Don Crowie holding the midfield. Kenny Miller is likely to start up front on his own for the Championship side.
Current form:
Liverpool: DWWDLW
Cardiff: WDLLWL
Possible lineups:
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique; Kuyt, Adam, Gerrard, Henderson, Bellamy; Suarez
Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Turner, Gerrard, Taylor; Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Cowie, Vuckic, Mason; Miller
Sports Mole says: 2-0
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