Downing wants his Cup hat-trick

A Kop end strike against Oldham in the third round was his first goal in a red shirt and then he hit the winner against Stoke City in the quarter-finals at Anfield.

And despite being named Man of the Match in the Carling Cup final victory over Cardiff City, Downing admits his brilliant winning strike against the Potters gave him the most personal satisfaction.

"That was a great feeling, scoring my first goal for Liverpool against Oldham, and it was a long time coming," Downing told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I had been hitting the post and the bar, which has probably been the story of my season, but you've got to keep getting in the positions and trying to score.

"Scoring against Stoke was even better because it got us in the semi-finals, which was probably my proudest moment at Liverpool.

"It was certainly up there in terms of one of the best goals I've scored. Me and Stevie played a one-two that we had been working on in training, and it was great to score and see us in the semi-finals.

"Hopefully I can emulate that and get a better one on Saturday, and hopefully the winning goal. But if the other lads score and we win the game then that's the main thing for me."

The England international is relishing the prospect of a third return to the national stadium this season and is eager to win more medals in a red shirt.

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He added: "It will be our third appearance there this season, so it feels like it's becoming our second home. We've got some good memories playing there and hopefully we can come back with some more.

"We had a great day against Cardiff and we got our first trophy, which is important for a new-look team. Now we want more."

While confident Liverpool can get the right result, Downing knows the qualities the Champions League finalists possess.

He said: "I think it will be our biggest test of the season. No disrespect to the other teams we have played like Cardiff and Everton, but they are a strong team with big characters who have been there and done it.

"They will be up for it as well and there is a lot at stake but we are looking forward to it and are really confident we can win the game.

"I watched the Champions League semi-final. Obviously they did really well and I didn't expect they would hold on, especially against a team like Barcelona, but all credit to them.

"They have done quite well since the turn of the year but that's football and it's about who turns up on the day.

"Before the semi-final everyone said Everton would beat us because they are the team in form, but look what happened. It's about who wants it more.

"We are playing for Liverpool who are used to playing in big occasions so we are looking forward to this."

Kenny Dalglish's charges have already beaten Chelsea twice this season and Downing insists Roberto Di Matteo's team will not be relishing the prospect of facing Luis Suarez, who netted his first hat-trick in a red shirt last weekend at Norwich City.

He said: "The hat-trick wasn't bad, was it? Especially his second and third goals, which were great finishes.

"He's a big player for us and we need him on form. He had a bit of a rest on Tuesday so hopefully he will be ready to go and I'm sure the likes of John Terry won't be looking forward to playing against him because he is a nightmare for defenders.

"He is unpredictable and can come up with things that other players can't.

"I'm confident we can beat them. Some players don't win anything in their career so to be in with a chance of winning two trophies is absolutely brilliant."

If the final was to go to penalties, then after netting a crucial spot-kick against Cardiff, Downing would certainly step up to the plate again.

"I would definitely take one again," he added.

"If there is an opportunity to take a penalty for your team at Wembley when you've got a chance to win a trophy then no problem, I'd go up again, but hopefully we can win the game in normal time."