Steven Gerrard Wants Wembley double with Liverpool

The Reds won four major trophies during the five seasons Cardiff's Millennium Stadium took centre stage for the domestic showpieces while the home of English football was being rebuilt.

But it is the romance and emotion of walking out at Wembley - albeit a very different stadium from the one Gerrard dreamed of as a child - which excites the 31-year-old.

And having tasted the atmosphere twice already this season, lifting the Carling Cup and beating Everton in the FA Cup semi-final, Gerrard is looking forward to another return.

"Wembley cup finals are magnificent occasions. I've been there as a supporter and as a player," said Gerrard, who made his England debut on the ground in 2000.

"I've experienced both the old and the new Wembley and I can tell you it's a very special place.

"You walk out and are hit by the number of people there. It's new and it's modern but the buzz is just the same as it was.

"It's a magnificent arena and one of the best I've ever played in.

"When growing up as a kid, I dreamed about playing in cup finals at Wembley. Then when I became captain of Liverpool, I dreamed about leading the team out there."

Due to their disappointing league form since the turn of the year the FA Cup has become something of a barometer for the health of Liverpool and the progress they have made since emerging from the tumultuous reign of former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett 18 months ago.

The Carling Cup may have represented their first trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2006 but the lustre of their victory over Championship side Cardiff has eroded fast in the wake of their downward spiral in the league.

However, should they make it a domestic cup double, which has occurred only three times previously with one those occasions being Liverpool, it would represent a decent return for what has been a transitional season.

Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League may be the priority in order for the club to re-establish their reputation on the continent but the ability to win silverware should not be under-estimated.

And while no-one at Liverpool will hide behind cup success Gerrard believes it has to be put into perspective.

"To get to one final is a big deal, but you can get there with a bit of luck and some good performances," said the midfielder.

"To reach two finals in the same season, though, proves that you are a good team with a good squad.

"If we go on and win this cup we can look at this season as a success."