Fernando bangs the Liverpool drum
Fernando Morientes believes Chelsea are no longer invincible and can be stopped in their quest for a league and FA Cup double.
And the Spanish star, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Liverpool next season, has the chance to destroy Chelsea’s double dreams on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
With Robbie Fowler cup-tied, Morientes is likely to partner Peter Crouch against the champions, who are one point away from retaining their title crown.
Morientes said: “Chelsea were a much harder outfit to beat earlier in the season when they were winning games with plenty to spare.
“Both in defence and in attack they were playing very well but now maybe the events of the season are catching up with them a little bit and they haven’t always been winning games with as much ease.
“They don’t have that invincible air about them anymore and we can take advantage of that if we perform on the day.
“The fact we are playing Chelsea will be a huge motivation for us to go out and perform.”
Morientes, talking in a Liverpoolfc.tv interview, maintained he would rather win the FA Cup than finish runners-up in the Barclays Premiership.
He explained: “If I had to choose between being runners-up or winning the cup, I’d want the cup.
“I’d settle now for playing a qualifying round in the Champions League next season if it meant we had another trophy in the cabinet.
“Whenever you get a chance to win a title you have to grab it. I’d settle for the FA Cup and third place right now. That would be a good season.”
There is speculation former Real Madrid ace Morientes could return to Spain in the summer, but he wants to prove himself at Anfield after a difficult 15 months at the club.
He continued: “I signed a contract for four years and I want to see that contract out.
“I want to stay here because over the next few years I am confident we are going to enjoy a lot of success on the field. The future is very bright here.
“At the same time you never know what the future is going to bring, especially in football.
“Four years is a long time. But, speaking today, I am happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here.
“I’m very happy. I love Liverpool, I love the fans and I am very confident I’ll come through my difficult spell here and score lots of goals in the future.”
“During the 15 months I’ve been here I expected to deliver more than I have done so far. I expected far more from myself.
“It’s not a case of what people expect from me. I have my own expectations and it’s not enjoyable when I don’t live up to them.
“I am my own hardest taskmaster and I know that from 14 years in the game the only way to come out of a situation like this is to work very, very hard.
“In that respect I am happy because I know how hard I am working and how hard I will continue to work.
“I am very positive about the situation and I remain confident I can be a success at Liverpool.”
He added: “I have played at a high level in my career and played well throughout.
“Footballers have peaks and troughs during their playing days but you don’t suddenly turn into a bad player. Maybe I am a victim of my own success in some way.
“People have criticised me because they know the level I’m capable of playing at and that is something I accept. I know I can get back to a good level at some stage in the future.”
On Fowler, Morientes added: “I’m very aware of what Robbie has achieved in the past and from watching him work, train and play I know what he can achieve in the future.
“It’s very important that he gets a new contract.
“He’s a real idol to the fans here and I think he’s partly responsible for people going to the game almost with an extra spring in their step because they know they can expect something special from him.
“He’s a top international goalscorer for England. He’s been a top goalscorer for Liverpool and his career statistics speak for themselves.
“I hope he gets a new offer from the club because he’s still a top player.”
