AnalysisThe Dirk Kuyt column: Carabao Cup final special

I knew it was coming but it's the confirmation that you dread.

I had the feeling when I got on the coach at Melwood, I had the feeling when we boarded the train headed south, and it was still there when I went to bed in the hotel that night.

I wouldn't be starting the 2012 League Cup final, Liverpool v Cardiff City at Wembley.

Kenny Dalglish waited until the day of the game to reveal the team. Even though I hadn't been in the first XI much at that point in the season, I was gutted – as you'd expect. Absolutely gutted. I hated it when I didn't play a full 90 minutes, let alone when it was a final.

But that said, there's only one real response to such a setback like that in this game – you have to show it with your football. That's always been the answer.

Thankfully, a decade ago against a spirited Cardiff side, I was able to come on in extra-time and score within minutes, and then net a crucial penalty in the shootout. It helped secure my first and only trophy as a Liverpool player.

Everyone usually thinks about the first 11 players but those on the bench can also be game-changers, match-winners. That can be Liverpool's strength when they come up against Chelsea.

The players who won't start obviously will be very disappointed – they have to be. But they've got to be in a mindset to be ready, to do everything for the team and to show the manager, 'Listen, maybe you should start me.' You do that instead of, for example, saying things in the media or showing with your hands or face that you're unhappy.

That Cardiff game was crazy and difficult. You see the opponent and everyone thinks Liverpool are going to win. But a final is a final and anything can happen.

I finally got the possibility to come on the pitch after 103 minutes and just gave it everything I had. Admittedly, I was a little bit lucky with the goal I scored but I was so happy to score at Wembley. I thought it would be the winner but, as you know, Cardiff equalised and it went to penalties.

We missed our first two in the shootout and I went up to take the third. It's a question I get a lot – how can you take a penalty in front of almost 90,000 people? I just thought one thing: I wanted to do my job for the team.

I managed to score a lot of penalties in my career and could hold my nerves. Of course, you felt those nerves and the adrenaline. But on the other hand, the best feeling you can have is, with all nerves when stepping up and knowing how important it is, watching the ball go in. It's the best feeling ever.

I missed a few but, thankfully, in the important moments – World Cups, Champions League semi-finals, finals – I managed to score. I just always felt comfortable that if I connected properly, I would always score.

It went in and we ended up winning 3-2. Those celebrations – running towards Pepe Reina and in the dressing room afterwards – still live with me now.

Of course you want to win the Premier League, the Champions League – and I did come very close – but as a player you just want to get your hands on as much silverware as possible. It was a long road to the 2012 League Cup final but I left Wembley that day very satisfied.

If Liverpool do manage to win on Sunday, it'll be a moment these players will never forget. Enjoy it and leave everything out there.

Thriving on the biggest stage

I just loved to play the high-profile games – rivalries and cup finals. I always felt I was at my best.

I've witnessed the best players perform so well in training without the stress, without people watching. But once they have to play in front of a full crowd, with the intensity and the pressure, they would sometimes shrink as a player. I was the opposite.

The biggest players usually stand up in the biggest games. Now I don't call myself the biggest player, but I always felt great when there were special occasions. I felt very privileged to be on the pitch and tried to give everything to write history for the club.

I treated every game like it was the same. I had the same routine to prepare myself: a phone call with the family before the game and a one-hour nap around noon if it was a late-ish game. It was always the same.

Physically, I was a very strong player but also one who'd be focused from the first minute until the last. You've got to be aware how important concentration is in these big fixtures.

In the moment when others grew tired in the legs and mind, I just tried to take my chance and score important goals.

It's always just about the result in finals, and I think Liverpool will be well prepared. This squad has had plenty of experiences down the years and can put them to good use at Wembley.

It's certainly going to be tough for Jürgen Klopp to name the XI because of the strength of the squad at the moment. But like I mentioned, every single player in the matchday squad can be the hero.

Mailbag

• Tweet @GlennPrice94 or use this form to get your questions answered by the Dutchman.

@SGGalea99: What did you eat before coming on in the 2012 League Cup final? Was the food you ate the reason for your performance, or was it another thing you did?

No, haha! I always ate pasta three hours before the game and never did anything special. I always prepared myself that I had to play 90 minutes or even more. So before a game, I always prepared myself the same way – no matter if I was starting or on the bench. But the problem for me was I ate so much because I tried to give so much during the game. If I only played for 10 minutes, I felt horrible because I had too much energy in my body, too much food for my body, so I never felt comfortable. I always looked forward to training the day after the match, so I could finally get rid of it.

@luke7galea: Did you aim for the bottom right corner for your goal or did you just strike through the ball with all your strength and hope for the best?

I had an initial shot that didn't go very well, and then with the rebound I aimed for that corner. It all happened so quickly. You do what you think is necessary to score and it just happened. The next moment I remember Luis Suarez on my back!

@Paul_miney: Did you feel any added pressure taking your penalty kick as we were 1-0 down in the shootout at that point? If so, did it change your decision where you were going to place your penalty?

I always took penalties during my career. The first professional penalty I took, I was just 18 and there were a few Utrecht teammates who didn't want to take it. I thought, 'I'll take it.' I missed it – it was actually against Sander Westerveld. But, in my opinion, it also made me very strong to have the courage to take a penalty in whatever situation.

When I got to Liverpool, Rafa was always very well prepared for games, and from that moment I got clips of the upcoming goalkeeper and saw his last five penalties – which corner he'd go, is he diving low or high, is he standing a while or diving quickly? That helped me a lot. I studied the goalkeeper that day, Tom Heaton, but of course you're just trying to figure out what you're going to do, having watched the previous penalties in the shootout. Like I said before, I had the feeling that if I hit my pen well, it would always go in.

Thanks for reading.

Hopefully Klopp's side force another change on the Champions Wall in the training ground.

Until next time,

Dirk