Dirk pinpoints LFC advantage
Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool have one huge advantage over Chelsea on Saturday – their fans.
The rivalry between the two sides burgeoned during Rafael Benitez's reign at Anfield, with finals and semi-finals becoming an almost annual affair.
Kuyt thinks Kopites have been crucial in helping Liverpool get the upper hand more often than not, and he hopes the same will be true when the rivalry resumes in the FA Cup final.
"Yes, they are an advantage," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv. "They are a great support.
"I've been at the club almost six years now and I've played in many Liverpool v Chelsea games.
"The one night I can especially remember was the semi-final at home (2007 Champions League). That night, the crowd was right behind us and it was one of the best atmospheres I ever played in."
Kuyt was an unused substitute during our FA Cup semi-final victory over neighbours Everton last month and is desperate to play some part this weekend.
"Obviously if you're not playing or starting it's hugely disappointing but you have to be prepared for when the manager needs you," he said.
"It's not about me – it's about the team and the club. And it was a great achievement to reach the final that day.
"I will try to do everything in training to get my place but we have more than 11 good options to pick a team. Hopefully I'll be there. I've played in a couple of finals in my career and there is nothing better."
Kuyt is famous for scoring big goals in big games, including a hat-trick against Manchester United, several derby winners and crucial Champions League strikes.
A decisive goal on Saturday would trump the lot, he claims – and he thinks winning the Cup could be a catalyst for further success next season.
"I like all the goals I've scored, but to score in finals is something really special," said the 31-year-old. "I've played in two finals for Liverpool and scored in both, so hopefully I'll score my best goal ever on Saturday.
"I think it would be my favourite. As a kid I always watched the FA Cup. It's special in England but it's also special all over the world. It's one of the most important cups in the world you can win.
"It'd be a great achievement personally, but also for the club – it would give us an enormous boost to keep us going forward and be contenders."
Last time Kuyt played at Wembley – as a substitute in the Carling Cup final – he scored what looked like the winner in extra-time before Cardiff equalised in the final minutes.
Asked if he thought his strike had clinched the game, he said: "Yes, actually. When you come on as a sub in extra-time and you score a goal you just think it's going to be the winner, but that's football."
Kuyt then scored what turned out to be the crucial penalty in the shoot-out, but he claims there were few nerves as he prepared to take the kick.
"With penalties, two things can happen: you can score or you can miss," he said. "You just have to believe in yourself. Even after the misses of Charlie and Stevie, I was still confident we could win it. All I had to do was score.
"Of course you feel something in your body that it's a big occasion, but I have a great belief in myself that I can do it.
"I've taken a lot of penalties and lately I've missed a few, but that can happen. If the manager needs me to take a penalty on Saturday I'm more than ready."
Liverpool have already beaten Chelsea twice in London this season – a fact from which Kuyt derives confidence.
"We've got great respect for them," he said. "They are a powerful team, a very talented team. But we've got a lot of quality as well. We have to believe in our own possibilities.
"We showed we can compete with them earlier this season in the Carling Cup and in the league at Stamford Bridge.
"If we play the way we played against them earlier in the season, and against the other big sides, we will be okay.
"Everyone is up for it, and though the fact it's a final means anything can happen, we have to be ready."