A Sleepless Night?

It’s only the League Cup. You know, the tournament everyone likes to call the Mickey Mouse one. But the way my stomach is churning at the minute it could just as easy be a semi-final of the Champions League.

Truth is I didn’t fancy our chances at all against City, least of all in the first leg. But then to come away with a lead only raised expectations –and possibly onto an unrealistic level.

Strange really. I keep feeling that a one-all draw might have been a better score to be bringing back to Anfield. A 1-0 lead is always a funny one for a 2nd leg at home and I somehow don’t think the side is as good overall as the one which returned from the Bernabeu in 2009 and then went on to thrash Real in the 2nd leg! Neither do I think City are as feeble or will lie down like the Spaniards did that night at Anfield.

In short, I’m cacking myself. If City score two, then we’re out unless we score the same number. And since we’ve struggled to get even one goal a game this year, forgive me for thinking that’s a mountainous ask. Away goals count double after extra time in the League Cup.

When it comes to the very big games, I’ve always turned into the complete pessimist as we reach the day and this is no different. Whichever way I read this I simply cannot foresee us preventing City from scoring and in the latter stages, whether the score is 0-1 or even 1-1, the siege will be likely every bit as frantic as the Chelsea semi-final of ’05. In either scenario a second goal will see them through.

So what is my consolation?

Well, the Reds are never as dangerous as when they are the underdogs. And I’m sure that’s what they are tomorrow, despite the goal start. In the final analysis, the loss of two key players is now really taking its toll. Lucas and Suarez would have added a totally different complexion on things, but it’s no good falling back on ‘if only’s’. We are where we are.

The result tomorrow will also surely influence the frame of mind for Saturday too. Defeat will not do the team any favours ahead of facing the proper enemy, but conversely a victory and a genuine chance to win some silverware will be a massive fillip.

I wish I could be confident but I’m anything but, even if it’s probably nothing more than my defence mechanism coming into play. Still, if anyone out there wants to be upbeat and tell me why we’ll manage it, even readily, I’ll be delighted to hear from you. This might be a long sleepless night and hardly a short day tomorrow either.

Remind me, this is the Mickey Mouse Cup, isn’t it?

Mike Hopper