Cardiff City v Liverpool - Carling Cup Final Preview: Magical Malky Or King Kenny?

CARLING CUP 2012 FINAL

CARDIFF CITY

v

LIVERPOOL

Wembley Stadium, London

February 26, 2012 – 1600 GMT

***

There exists a sea of background stories that has lent an extra dimension to the Sunday’s Wembley showdown.Ai??After a season marred by an everlasting racism row, Liverpool could finally have something concrete to cheer about and perhaps, the script is written for Luis Suarez to inspire them to their first trophy in six years. Alternatively, it could be Welsh striker-cum-winger Craig Bellamy, playing against his hometown club, who could play the decisive role; or it could be a battle between the two cousin Gerrards that catches the eye.

Liverpool may be the giants in this tie, but Cardiff City can proudly flaunt their new Wembley experience. The Welsh club will be visiting the iconic stadium for the fourth time in five seasons, including an FA Cup final defeat to Portsmouth four years ago.

Manager Malky Mackay has suggested that Cardiff’s recent slump in form has not been due to the distraction of an upcoming cup final, but one has to believe the final has had a role to play. Prior to the past few weeks, Cardiff were going strong in the Championship and currently lie in one of the four play-off positions. Liverpool, unlike their opponents who were trounced 3-0 at Ipswich last weekend, are coming off a 6-1 hammering dished out to Brighton in the FA Cup and are in a confident mood.

(c)_Zimbio_Kenny Dalglish — Kenny Dalglish was brought to win trophies - one game more..

While Cardiff manager Malky Mackay has been handed a new contract in mid-week, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish’s reign has received mixed judgments from pundits across England. Winning a trophy would go a long way in securing Dalglish’s position at the club, although a top four position might remain the deciding factor.

Liverpool’s last visit to Wembley saw a defeat to Cantona’s solitary late goal on the day the ‘Spice Boys’ wore those infamous white suits; a deed unlikely to be repeated on Sunday, unless Luis Suarez decides to be cheeky. The Anfield club have lifted the League Cup a record 7 times, including four straight trophies in the 80s during Dalglish’s playing era. Their opponents on the day are yet to lift it even once.

After being such a successful English club on Welsh soil against English sides in the last decade or so , could Liverpool finally find success in an English stadium against a Welsh team?

Team News and Tactical Brief

Cardiff City

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay has a virtually full squad to choose from with the exception of a few late fitness tests, that will be left as late as possible. Experienced midfielder Stephen McPhail is fighting an ongoing battle with Sjogren’s Syndrome, which has reduced him to a handful of appearances this season and also leaving him short of match fitness. Semi-final hero goalkeeper Tom Heaton has recovered from an ankle knock that has left him out of the past three games, and will take place in the starting line-up on Sunday.

Malky Mackay has a big decision to make at centre-back with club Captain Mark Hudson returning from injury. Mackay has to decide between him and Steven Gerrard’s cousin Anthony who has deputised for Hudson in the last three games. The manager must be seen to overlook sentiment in the final. Whilst it would be a great family occasion for the Gerrards to line up against each other, Malky Mackay must pick his strongest line-up on the day, and Gerrard has been part of a defence that has leaked ten goals in four games. The other three defensive positions seem to be set in stone with Kevin McNaughton, Ben Turner and Andrew Taylor being first choice.

In midfield, Mackay has his strongest line-up to choose from; however, on-loan Newcastle midfielder Haris Vuckic is cup-tied. The Cardiff manager will probably go with Don Cowie, Aron Gunnarsson and Peter Whittingham spread across the middle of the pitch with a supporting striker playing just in front.

It is in this position between midfield and lone striker Kenny Miller that the manager has the hardest choice to make. Rudy Gestede is a strong powerful target man and can hold the ball up well, he has also played some good football recently scoring a goal against Blackpool. However, teenage prodigy Joe Mason is already a fan favourite, and has scored some influential goals this season, namely a match winner against Burnley in the fourth road.

Expect Kenny Miller to start on his own up front for Cardiff City and seek to cause problems by attacking from deep. Miller relies on the accurate through balls of Gunnarsson and Whittingham and has the proven record of scoring on big occasions. He may struggle against Agger and Skrtel on his own up front, so don’t be surprised to see Joe Mason or Cardiff City hero Robert Earnshaw come on later into the game.

Cardiff City are expected to set up in a 4-5-1 formation with emphasis on high pressure and counter attacking football. Peter Whittingham in the centre of the pitch will be instrumental to all Cardiff do, and may well be the key to a shock Cardiff win.

Probable Starting Line-Up (4-4-1-1):Ai??Heaton (GK), McNaughton, Hudson (C), Turner, Taylor, Cowie, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Conway; Gestede; Miller.

Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish claims to have a selection headache ahead of the tie, but he is likely to set his team up in the most attacking of formations and personnel. Craig Bellamy and Daniel Agger are available to start after the two sat out on the visit of Brighton.Ai??There will be no place for sentimental starts given to Jamie Carragher or to young academy graduate Martin Kelly, who wants to follow in the footsteps of Carragher and Gerrard.

Dalglish’s defence will involve the usually reliable foursome of Johnson, Skrtel, Agger and Enrique. Premier League’s second best defence has had a few hiccups this year, though, conceding three at the Etihad Stadium and at the Reebok. However, the link-up play and overlapping runs of their full backs are one of the best in England and the Reds will look to exploit this strength. Skrtel and Agger will do well to keep Kenny Miller in check; the Scottish International is a major threat to Liverpool.

In games when Liverpool’s defence has been heavily tested, it has been due to the lack of cover in front of them. Although Jay Spearing is a better defensive option than Charlie Adam, the Scottish International is set to start as Gerrard’s partner in the centre of midfield because of his ability with the ball at his feet.

Craig Bellamy will start and is likely to feature on the left wing supplying to Suarez and Carroll up front. The right wing is the position that will trouble Dalglish the most, with a choice between Henderson, Kuyt and Downing. Dirk Kuyt’s experience is likely to get the nod ahead of Stewart Downing, but Dalglish may prefer Downing’s crossing ability over the Dutchman’s grit.

Whenever Suarez and Carroll start together, the big English forward is seen dropping deep to flick on headers and collect balls while Suarez waits on the shoulder of the last man. This needs to vary with time on Sunday to involve Suarez into the game more than Liverpool have been doing when the duo has started together. Steven Gerrard’s form has been up and down of late, but he is the reason for the Reds’ tactical variation – mixing up long balls with through balls.

Probable Starting Line-up (4-4-2):Ai??Reina (GK); Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Downing, Gerrard(c), Adam, Bellamy; Suarez, Carroll

Key Facts

Liverpool are the record holders of the League Cup, winning it 7 times in their history. The last victory came in 2003 with a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium.
Sunday will be Cardiff City’s first League Cup final.
In head-to-head battle, Cardiff have won 18 times, while Liverpool have won only 9 times.
Cardiff’s top scorers Kenny Miller and Peter Whittingham are level with Liverpool’s top scorer Luis Suarez this season – 10 goals each.

TheHardTackle’s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Luis Suarez (Liverpool)

The Uruguayan has been the focus of the media throughout the season and may just be the catalyst for Liverpool’s first title in 6 years. Suarez, on his day, is unstoppable and Cardiff’s defence will be looking to hack him down at every opportunity; not that he needs an invitation to go down, anyway.

TheHardTackle’s PREDICTION

Cardiff 0-2 Liverpool

It is a big match, and as with every final, the first goal will matter the most. If Liverpool score first, it is unlikely they will relinquish the lead but a Cardiff goal will set the cat among the pigeons. We’re going the safe way. No upset on Sunday!

TheHardTackle’s BLAST FROM THE PAST

Here’s a video Cardiff could take inspiration from. This was perhaps Liverpool’s most disappointing Cup final defeat ever. It is a mystery how Liverpool didn’t score that day, including a penalty miss, and the ‘crazy gang’ of Wimbledon stunned their more illustrious opponents.

(with inputs from Cardiff City bloggerAi??Paul Gronow)

Tags: Liverpool FC