Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed he is preparing his side for the Carling Cup final just as he would for any other game.
Liverpool boss Dalglish plays down Wembley factor
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has revealed he is preparing his side for the Carling Cup final just as he would for any other game.
Dalglish's Reds are gearing up to take on Championship side Cardiff City at Wembley on Sunday.
The Reds have yet to play in the newly-built stadium since it opened in 2007 and are chasing their first silverware since winning the FA Cup in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in 2006.
Dalglish has made 27 appearances as a player and manager at Wembley while a number of his players, such as skipper Steven Gerrard, have played there for England.
However, the Scot was quick to play down the significance of 'Wembley experience' as a deciding factor in the game and revealed he is preparing the players as he would for a normal league match.
"A final is not really different from any other matches. Character and luck play a huge part in every game," said the 60-year-old.
Wembley
"You wouldn't say a final is just another game because it is a final at Wembley but all the other ingredients which go into getting the result are exactly the same.
"Whether you have experience of being somewhere [Wembley] before doesn't mean it is going to be helpful.
"I may have some experience, although it was a while ago, but [First team coach] Steve Clarke has been there more recently than me [with Chelsea] so he has experience as well."
Despite their six-year trophy drought the Merseysiders are overwhelming favourites to beat the Bluebirds, who are currently fifth in the Championship.
Dalglish, though, does not feel that will put more pressure on his side to succeed.
"It's not necessarily more pressure," he added. "There is always going to have to be a favourite but you only get out of the match what you put in.
Favourites
"Favourites have lost before, although not too often, but we have to overcome Cardiff on the day.
"We will go there best prepared and see what happens. We won't jump ahead.
"We've got the final, which is one step, now let's see what we do when we get there.
"We will try to be as normal and as well prepared as we possibly can and make sure we get all the other things in the right order."
