Liverpool FC: Can the Reds Do the Domestic Cup Double?
By
(Contributor) on April 17, 2012
Jamie McDonald/Getty Images
With Saturday's victory over their greatest rivals in Everton now etched into the history books, Liverpool fans will be looking ahead to the FA Cup final on May 5th.
It hasn't been the best of years for King Kenny's men in the league. With just four rounds of fixtures remaining, the Reds sit in eighth place, behind Everton, with no possible chance of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
In fact, had it not been for their victory against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final, it would have been a possibility that Liverpool had not qualified for Europe for the second consecutive season.
However, despite this lacklustre showing in the League competition, the complete opposite has been demonstrated in both English Cups.
As aforementioned Pool already have the honour of housing the Carling Cup for the next year, and now have the chance to add another piece of silverware to their cabinet.
After demolishing Tottenham Hotspurs on Sunday night, Chelsea have made their way into yet another FA Cup final.
Roman Abramovich's Blues have had an almost unparalleled level of success in the classic tournament since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003.
Couple this with Liverpool's current cup form, and we are sure to see one of the most hotly contested finals in years.
But who should be considered the favourites?
Who will win the FA Cup?
· Liverpool
88.7%
· Chelsea
11.3%
Total votes: 186
Well, if you're going by form and performances from this season alone, the smart money would be on Roberto Di Matteo's men.
Despite having the worst domestic league season since 2002-03, Chelsea have managed to reach the semifinals of the Champions League where they will face Barcelona tomorrow night.
Their form in England has been patchy at best, but on those occasions where they've turned on the style, we have once again been mesmerised by their ability and skill.
However, to rule out Liverpool would also be foolish. It's not often you can say a club has had a bad season, and at the end of said season, they have two trophies to show for it.
Let's remember after all that, Liverpool are already guaranteed to finish the year with more silverware than whoever ends up as runner-up in the EPL between Man City and United.
I expect the game itself to start off extremely cagey, with neither side creating much in the way of genuine goalscoring opportunities as the cup final nerves jangle.
But when all is said and done, I think it will be Liverpool who pull off somewhat of a shock upset and bring home their second honour of the campaign.
There's just something about Pool in the cups this season that have given them the edge in all of their matches—in which their record is 100 percent.
By the same token, however, I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised if Chelsea did what they do best in the FA Cup and bring home the bacon.
I guess there is no real way to know until the 5th of May rolls around.
Until then, it's dreams of cup final glory for all the Scousers and West Londoners.
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