Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish admits they're still some way off competing at the top table.

Dalglish is realistic enough to know Liverpool are not ready yet to challenge the two Manchester clubs for the Premier League, so the cup competitions are extremely important, even if he acknowledges they do not carry the same significance as they did in his first spell when Liverpool won two epic Merseyside finals in the FA Cup and won the League Cup four times in a row.

"I don't think there is the same importance for the cup competitions that people felt in the past. You see that with attendances, and some of that is down to the expense. The league is the priority for most of the supporters if you asked them. If you get to the final, it's fantastic. They'd rather win the league or save themselves from relegation than win the cup.

"We've been able to field really strong teams in the cup competitions this season because we have a strong squad. Whatever team goes out on Sunday should be good enough to compete in the game."