Graeme Souness has enjoyed his fair share of League Cup success during his career, and we caught up with him to discuss this week's Semi-Final second legs.
The former Scotland International won the competition four years in a row with Liverpool as a player before lifting the trophy as manager of Blackburn Rovers in 2002.The Sky Sports pundit tasted cup glory at Anfield between 1981 and 1984 - the latter three as captain – and he’s now looking forward to finding out which two sides will contest this year's Final at Wembley Stadium on 28th February.
We caught up with him to get his views on the upcoming second legs...
Read more: Capital One Cup Semi-Final second leg preview
Liverpool v Stoke City
I was at the first game and this tie is by no means a done deal. Stoke, with the way they are playing, have a bit of confidence and are playing a brand of football which makes them hard to play against and break down, but they also have strength going forward.
I don’t see this one being over and done with although Liverpool have to start as favourites given the fact they are playing at home in front of their own crowd. It’s a special place to play football when the Kop gets behind you.
Liverpool are having an up-and-down season and you’re not quite sure what they are going to give you on any given day. They haven’t got any free-scoring midfield players and Stoke will see them as vulnerable, and think they can go there and win the game.
Manchester City v Everton
No two games are alike, I know Everton went there recently and got a 0-0 [in the league]. I had to put Manchester City as favourites for the Premier League, it’s not rocket science and I tipped them based on the fact they have the best players.
I see those players being fired up in the Semi-Final second leg - it’s a chance to get to Wembley and I can’t see them not winning it and winning it well. I think five to 10 years ago it was very much a forgotten cup but it’s been revitalised in recent years and if you look at the teams put out nowadays it tells you how much they value it.
Pick a winner…
Right now - and a lot can happen between now until the end of February - I’d have to say Manchester City because they have the best players, but all four teams are very much in it.
“It’s been very good to me, this competition”
I remember beating Manchester United in 1983 and Tottenham Hotspur a year earlier but I suppose the outstanding memory for me would be the last one [1984] when we beat Everton after a replay at Maine Road, and I actually got the goal when we beat them 1-0.
As a manager you take a lot from it too because you are responsible and we [as manager of Blackburn Rovers] beat Arsenal en route to the Final and then Tottenham in it, that was big for me.
It gives you a different type of pride because when you win it as a player you are part of a team and you see all the emotions in the dressing room, as a manager it’s different but I’m very fortunate to have done it.
Graeme Souness was speaking on behalf of The Football League and Capital One - the credit card in your corner. Visit facebook.com/CapitalOneUK.
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