Liverpool go into Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Cardiff City hoping for a victory that could kick start a golden era for the former kings of English football.
Liverpool have not won a trophy since they beat West Ham for the 2006 FA Cup title and have not won the league since the last of their 18 titles in 1990.
Usurped by Manchester United, who won a 19th league crown last summer, Liverpool are desperate to get back on track and a trophy in the first full season of their new owners would be the ideal start.
“Six years without a trophy for this football club isn’t good enough,” Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said. “It’s been too long and everyone knows that. It’s time we delivered a trophy.
“Everyone knows the club has been through some tough times but we’re moving forward now. We’re all desperate to bring success back.
It’s what we’re working so hard to achieve.” Gerrard, who at 31 is in the last few years of a career, in which he has won every domestic trophy with Liverpool bar the league, said victory at Wembley could begin a real period of success.
“I’m hoping this is just the beginning for us,” he said. “It would be stupid to win the Carling Cup and then rest on our laurels. This is an important cup for us but there are other big prizes we want to strive for.
“I honestly believe winning this cup will be the catalyst for a successful period for the club. It will certainly give us the belief and confidence to deliver more.
“That’s what happened back in 2001. We picked up the League Cup and then went on win the treble (UEFA Cup and FA Cup). It gave us the confidence to go and win more trophies. Momentum builds and it gives everyone a taste of success.
“If we win on Sunday this group of players will experience what it’s like to walk around a stadium full of your supporters going wild. That buzz and the tingles that give you drive you on to want more.
“We’re still in the FA Cup and challenging for a top four place in the league. There’s no doubt winning the Carling Cup would have a really positive affect on us for the rest of this season. It would drive us on to achieve more.”
