Lallana: Momentum with Reds after semi-final win
Adam Lallana believes Liverpool are gathering momentum at just the right time following their Capital One Cup semi-final win over Stoke City on Tuesday evening.
The Reds will meet Manchester City in the competition's showpiece fixture on February 28 thanks to a penalty shootout success against Mark Hughes' team at Anfield.
And Lallana, who netted the first spot-kick after playing 120 minutes of a second leg that ended with the sides tied 1-1 on aggregate, was in optimistic mood as he looked ahead of the final.
When told that manager Jürgen Klopp had promised Liverpool would go on to lift the trophy at Wembley, the midfielder replied: "That’s great confidence.
"You know, I feel a bit like that. We have had a couple of big moments in the last few days.
"What happened against Norwich isn’t going to happen too often. And then to win in a penalty shootout.
"It is relentless at the minute but we have got players coming back, like Dejan [Lovren], Phil [Coutinho] and Studge [Daniel Sturridge] won’t be too long either, so it is a massive boost."
The England international also revealed how a frank exchange between the players at half-time was key to the hosts preventing Stoke from adding to their opener at Anfield.
"In the first half we were poor and there were a few strong words at half-time. Not just from the manager but from ourselves. We knew it," he continued.
"We told each other that we had to be more composed on the ball, to want the ball and play out from the back rather than hitting it long, which we did a few too many times. I thought we settled down in the second half.
"It was always going to be a scrappy game and a battle, particularly the longer it went on. We held our nerve in the penalties, which was the most important thing.
"I thought we were very composed in the end and Simon made two great saves from the spot. You always want your keeper to help you out and that’s what he did.
"It was great for Joe, too. He has had a great couple of weeks, getting some important goals, and it was great for him to get the winning penalty on the night. It wasn’t a pretty game but it was all about getting through and we are at Wembley now."
Lallana now has the chance to claim the first major winners' medal of his career thus far when the Reds head to the national stadium next month.
He said of the prospect: "It is massive, absolutely massive.
"I won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with Southampton at Wembley a few years ago but this is completely different. You might laugh about it but I am proud of that!
"But this will be completely different. We have got a chance to win a trophy, which is brilliant."