Former Liverpool favourite Dominic Matteo believes Liverpool's impressive Carling Cup run could kick start their campaign and lead to further success.
Liverpool progressed to the first cup final of the season where they will meet Championship side Cardiff City at Wembley. Kenny Dalglish's side were 1-0 up against Manchester City after the first leg of the semi-final and last night at Anfield a 2-2 draw was enough to see them through to their first domestic cup final since 2006.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsvibe.co.uk, Matteo said: "It's the first time Liverpool will be going to the new Wembley so that's absolutely fantastic.
"Last night was a great game all round and Manchester City played their part as well, but overall in the two legs I thought Liverpool just edged it and it's great to see them back in a final.
"Craig Bellamy was fantastic last night and I think he proved a few people at Man City wrong. He was really fired up for the game and his overall performance and his work rate was outstanding."
With Bellamy doing well it has heaped further pressure on £35million signing Andy Carroll: "It's not quite happened for Andy and at the end of the day it's going to be more difficult for him to get into the team," Matteo added.
"With Craig playing so well and (Luis) Suarez coming back in a couple of weeks as well, it will be more difficult for Andy to play and at his age he needs to be playing regularly."
Matteo who made 153 appearances for Liverpool and scored two goals for the club in a seven year spell between 1993-2000, believes Dalglish's side aren't strong enough to finish in the top four, but believes they have the ability to win two trophies this season.
"I don't think Liverpool will clinch a Champions League spot," the 37-year-old continued. "But if we were to nick a couple of cups I think it'll take the pressure off the manager.
"We all know the Champions League is where Liverpool want to be and that would have been the plan at the start of the season but that's not going to happen, so maybe that have to look at the cups to give the fans something to cheer about."
Having knocked out the blue half of Manchester in the Carling Cup, Manchester United visit Anfield on Saturday for the FA Cup fourth round tie, so what does the former Liverpool defender predict?
"I'm sure Sir Alex (Ferguson) and his staff would have watched the game last night and they would have been impressed with what they saw from Liverpool.
"I think if Liverpool play like they did last night they can beat United, but obviously it's a very tough game and for me it's still the biggest game in British football.
"After last nights performance it has given Liverpool fans a lift and it would have lifted the players, I don't think Kenny can change the team that played last night.
"I think their will be a couple of goals on Saturday, but I will go for Liverpool to win 2-1 and Steven Gerrard to score another penalty."
