Jay: No Wembley distraction
Jay Spearing admits he's relishing the prospect of an all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final – but insists Liverpool will not take any focus off a busy run of league fixtures ahead of their return to Wembley.
The Reds ensured they'll compete for a place in the final against either Everton or Sunderland at the national stadium next month with a 2-1 victory over Stoke City on Sunday.
And while Spearing admits everyone within the camp will be excited by another trip to Wembley, and the possibility of a Merseyside derby, he's adamant no-one will take their eye off the ball as Liverpool refuse to give up on a top-four finish in the league.
"For myself, it's a massive confidence boost and for the team too," Spearing told Liverpoolfc.tv when asked about returning to Wembley.
"We've been there once and won, so there's no reason we can't go there with plenty of confidence and hopefully get to the final.
"We went away to Sunderland a week ago and we were not very happy with our performance at all - but then on Tuesday against Everton at home we were very happy.
"For the club and for Merseyside it (a Liverpool - Everton semi-final) would be special. For both clubs it would be massive to get the supporters down there for the semi-final.
"It's every player's dream to go and play at Wembley and it will be extra special if it's an all-Merseyside semi-final. We've got all the confidence to go there and try and get through to the final.
"We've got a big game on Wednesday which we'll need to compete in and get three points, but when it (the semi-final) comes about we'll be looking forward to it."
Liverpool progressed into the last four courtesy of two stunning strikes from Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing, with the latter netting a 57th minute winner after Peter Crouch had equalised for Stoke.
Spearing said: "Whenever Luis is on the ball, you know he is going to cause problems to any team - and it was nice for Stewie to get on the scoresheet.
"I think we deserved to win. At times we got the ball down and played our football, which we know we can do, and caused them a lot of problems.
"We knew it was going to be a physical game against them, so we had to compete as much as we could and we did that throughout the full 90 minutes."
Spearing turned in another commanding midfield display on his fourth consecutive start for the first team.
The 23-year-old believes he is growing in confidence with each game, though he still feels he is capable of delivering more.
He said: "I was very pleased (with my performance). I think we battled well all the way through the game.
"We had to pick up second balls, which was a big part of the game today, and we also played some good football at times.
"Every game gives me a lot more confidence. All I can do now is keep going and try and show the manager and the fans what I'm capable of doing."
Spearing will be hoping to get the nod from Kenny Dalglish when Liverpool return to action on Wednesday night with a trip to Queens Park Rangers.
He added: "It's not a nice place to go. It can be a hostile atmosphere and we've got to go and show we can play our football, get three points and start climbing up that table."
Meanwhile, Spearing had words of support for Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba as he continues to receive treatment in a London hospital.
He said: "On behalf of myself, the rest of the players and the coaching staff, I'd like to send our best wishes to his family at this awful time and wish him all the best."