KOP News # 1144

Liverpool: 'Two Cups Would Be Fantastic' - Neal

Club legend Phil Neal has entered the debate over the successfulness of Liverpool's current campaign and argued a second cup success would equate to a good season.

Liverpool have endured a miserable league campaign and following further dropped points against West Brom at the weekend, currently languish in 8th place; a mammoth 37 points behind leaders Manchester United. The Reds are also behind local rivals Everton in the standings and recently endured their worse run of league from since 1954, collecting only 8 points from their first 12 games of 2012.

The league form, which partly contributed to the high profile departure of Director of Football Damien Comolli earlier this month, is in stark contrast to the club's fortunes in domestic cup competitions.

Kenny Dalglish's side already have the Carling Cup in the trophy cabinet and return to Wembley on May 5th for the FA Cup final. En-route to the finals Liverpool have eliminated the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Everton to further muddy the waters when it comes to evaluating the current campaign.

"Two cups would be a good return at the end of the season in my book," Neal told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I know it's frustrating for the fans we haven't been able to challenge for the top four this season, but if we could finish with two cups it would be fantastic.

"We've got to feel we've made progress this season, and I certainly do.

"We've lifted one cup and we've got a chance of another one next month. If we can capture the FA Cup, it will be a massive plus...

"The youngsters who have been heavily involved in our cup runs, such as Spearing, Kelly and the rest, are learning all the time and they can take that into next season.

"I said before the start of the season it would be difficult to break into the top four, and it's been that way. But if we can improve our home results next season, we can make a challenge.

"We've created a lot of chances in our home games, we just need to start knocking them in.

"I wanted to go to the new Wembley with my team and Kenny has done that for us this season. Now I am looking forward to another challenge in trying to win the FA Cup, and there's no reason we can't go and make it another great day again.

"Let's get behind the lads as all Liverpool fans always do. We've got another cup final to go to and let's make sure we're all hoarse by the time we come back from there having shouted our team to another trophy."

Neal is Liverpool's most decorated player and only the FA Cup eluded him during his 11 years and 650 appearances for the Merseyside giants. The dependable full-back played in the club's first five European Cup finals, winning four of them, and also won 50 caps for England. His final tally of winners medals at Liverpool reads: 8 x League Championship, 5 x Charity Shield, 4 x European Cup, 4 x League Cup, 1 x UEFA Cup and 1 x Super Cup. Upon joining the club in October 1974, Neal became the first signing made by new manager Bob Paisley and the Northamptonshire native also went on to manage the likes of Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City after his illustrious playing days had come to an end.