Liverpool must consign FA Cup final defeat to history, says Daniel Agger
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Your support makes all the difference.The Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, still reeling from his FA Cup final disappointment, has targeted wins in both of the club's remaining Premier League games – starting against their Wembley conquerors, Chelsea, at Anfield tonight.
Liverpool end the season at Swansea City on Sunday and are hoping to avoid finishing lower than eighth for the first time in the Premier League.
"We have got two games left in the season and we have got to try and win them," Agger said yesterday. "That is how we will start to move forward. It is difficult right now to think about anything else. When you get into an FA Cup final, you really want to win it. Nobody ever remembers the runners-up."
A late goal from the former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson secured a 2-1 win for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in November and another victory would condemn the west London side to a sixth-placed finish in the league. The Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, had never lost to Chelsea before the Cup final, but does not underestimate a team who have reached the Champions League final under Roberto Di Matteo.
Dalglish said: "They got two fantastic results in the Champions League semi-final. They know how to play. They have got experience. We might have been a wee bit naive [in the final]. They are very experienced – whatever way they want to play, it is up to us to play against it."
Dalglish is likely to hand a start to Andy Carroll following his goal after coming off the bench on Saturday.
"His attitude coming on as a substitute was exemplary," Dalglish said. "He lifted it. Dirk [Kuyt] – great attitude as well. I am sure if we had asked any of the others to come on, their attitude would have been the same as well. That is all you can expect. To understand the disappointment of not playing. That shouldn't be taken on to the pitch.
"To be fair, the two substitutes we brought on, they didn't. That is great credit to them."
Kick-off Tonight, 8pm (Sky Sports 1). Ref K Friend (Leicestershire). Odds: H 7-5; D 5-2; A 7-4.
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