League Cup memories: Evans on picking his final XI

The man in charge has to decide how to break the news to the unfortunate few who will miss out on his starting XI, as well as planning any celebrations in case of success.

Throw in the need to plan training sessions in the week before the game, and dealing with the pressures that come with these occasions - it all adds up to managers having a lot on their plate in the build-up.

During his time in charge of Liverpool, Roy Evans took the club to two Wembley finals, winning the League Cup against Bolton Wanderers in 1995 before falling at the final hurdle in the FA Cup a year later. 

He was also part of the coaching set-up during a golden era for success under Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. 

With his invaluable experience, Evans had the credentials and know-how on preparing a team for a day on the biggest stage. 

And, as a manager, he always felt it was best to try and downplay the occasion to the players. 

When leading his charges into finals he wanted them to approach the game as they would any other, simply insisting they go out and relish it.

“You can't afford to think about it until it arrives really,” Evans told Liverpoolfc.com. “When it arrives, though, you've got to prepare for it. 

“You have to keep it similar. It doesn't become a special game because all games are special. 

“I always thought it was about how your own team plays and you've got to get that part right. 

“There's a massive excitement in going down to play at Wembley, always for the fans it's a big deal.

“Training was a little bit less aggressive because no one wants to get injured in the week of a cup final, that's for sure. You just want them to relax and enjoy it, if they can.

“It sounds easy in theory but that's what you play football for, to get to big events and finals. Why get there and not enjoy it? 

“I'm a great believer in wanting the fans and players to enjoy it. It's a game of football first and foremost. 

“The results are massively important to the fans, players and management but by the same token it's something you have got to embrace and enjoy.

“There's always a bit of humour about. Lads have always got different personalities having a bit of a crack and a laugh at the end of it all. Of course on the day you've got to start being serious. 

“But in the build-up to it and on the day you get on that bus, you can have a bit of fun but once you get there then it's serious business.”

Of course, the tough process of forming a squad for Wembley falls upon the boss, and some players are always going to be left disappointed.

“The easy part is telling the ones that are playing!” he jokes. “You always try and get in your own mind. 

“Obviously you've got injury problems and you have to wait as long as possible to see if people do recover if you want them to be in your starting line-up. I liked to let the players know at least a day before. I liked to be going down there and saying 'you're playing'.

“I had a situation with Neil Ruddock in the final against Man Utd. I made a decision and I thought I had good reason for it. I brought him in before we left and told him I wasn't going to play him. 

“He took it like a man but you don't expect him to like it. In fact you'd be very disappointed if he was like 'OK that's fine'. 

“I'm sure Razor Ruddock would have liked to have killed me! That's the way you want the reaction to be because everybody wants to be in the team.”

Throughout the match, managers find it hard to make much of an impact. With a boisterous atmosphere and bigger playing surface at Wembley, the lines of communication between the touchline and the players grow weaker.

Despite not being able to reach them fully, Evans insists his players already knew their tasks well prior to the match. 

He continues: “You do most of your stuff the day before. On the day of the game you go over a few details and you more or less have an idea of the team you're going to be up against. 

“During the game you can only make so much of a difference obviously by making substitutions, you can shout on various things and if your physio runs on then he can pass on information. 

“But once them players walk on the pitch, it's down to them. It's not down to what I say, they've got to make decisions on the pitch.”

Even in the midst of success, a manager’s job isn’t over. They are then faced with determining how long and grand the celebrations are.

Just three days after the League Cup success in 1995, the Reds were due to play down at Southampton, with the season a long way from finished.

But Evans decided to let his side enjoy their cup victory ahead of the trip, and was rewarded with a 3-1 win.

He added: “You're going to say 'we've got a game there' but what you really mean is 'go out and enjoy yourself' because you've won something. 

“Sometimes that doesn't do any harm. An occasional few beers with the lads all together is never off the list in my sort of management. 

“There's a right time and place to do it but occasionally is fine because I think it gives a great comradery between the lads.”