Martin Kelly is hoping he can follow in the footsteps of Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher by becoming the latest Academy graduate to claim a winners' medal with Liverpool.

Having come through the ranks in Kirkby, the England U21 international admits it would be a special moment to help Kenny Dalglish's side lift the Carling Cup on Sunday.

"To win a first medal with Liverpool would be very special," Kelly told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I have been at Liverpool since the age of seven and come through the Academy ranks.

"Steve Heighway was a massive influence on getting me to Liverpool and the boss (Kenny Dalglish) has shown a lot of faith in me since he came back to the club.

"It's fantastic for us to get back to Wembley and we have made such good progress since last season.

"I am also made up for our fans who will be at Wembley cheering on Liverpool again.

"It's such a high stage and hopefully we can get the result everyone wants."

Opponents Cardiff City are flying high in the Championship, and Kelly knows the Reds will have to be at their best on the day.

He added: "Cardiff have done brilliantly and we will show them the ultimate respect. They deserve to be at Wembley and they have played really well during their run in the Carling Cup.

"It will be a really tough game, they have got a great support like ourselves so they will have their fans right behind them the same as we will.

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"Any team you play in a final is always going to be a tough test and it's down to what you are like on the day, and it's sometimes down to who wants it more.

"We've just got to be patient, play our football and hopefully not let the fans down."

The Carling Cup has been kind to Liverpool's No.34 this season. He has started in four out of six games on the road to Wembley, and also netted his first goal in a red shirt during the quarter-final victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

A place in the starting XI would be the icing on the cake, but with competition for places at Anfield intense, Kelly is satisfied just being a part of the squad.

He said: "It would be fantastic if I get the chance to play at Wembley.

"For an English lad like myself, besides Anfield it's the ground you want to play at. It would be fantastic to play but we have such a good squad and competition for places is tough.

"I am still an U21 player so I've got to pleased that I've been given an opportunity to play in most of the games leading up to the final.

"It will be a squad effort on the day and you can't take things for granted at a club like Liverpool. If I play it will be fantastic but if I don't it will still be an honour for me to be a part of the squad.

"Apart from the home leg of the semi-final we played all of our games away on the road to Wembley and I think that is great credit to all of the lads.

"We deserve to be in the final and this is our reward. Now we want to go one better and win it and we've got our biggest game of the competition so far at Wembley.

"I have been to the new Wembley only as a spectator when Stuart Pearce took me and the U21 lads for the friendly with Spain. It was fantastic, the pitch is really good and if you ask anyone who has played the stadium the stadium is unbelievable."

On his goal at Stamford Bridge, Kelly added: "It was a bit of a blur to be honest. I went up for the corner and it was a fantastic feeling running over to the away fans celebrating at knocking Chelsea out.

"Hopefully it won't be the last time I will be scoring a goal for Liverpool. I'd like to do it at Anfield sooner rather than later."

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Sunday's showpiece event will also be a poignant day for Craig Bellamy as he prepares to face his hometown club and the side he had a season loan with last term.

Kelly said: "It will be an emotional day for Craig and it will also be fantastic for him to play. He deserves it, he's probably one of the hardest workers in training and on the pitch at Anfield.

"I've got great respect for Craig. He's done a lot for us since he returned and he's been a brilliant signing for us."