Steven Gerrard vows to "respect" Cardiff

Steven Gerrard believes that Liverpool must avoid complacency when they meet Cardiff City at Wembley for the Carling Cup final.

The Merseyside club are one game away for claiming a piece of silverware after they defeated Manchester City 3-2 on aggregate last night.

"It's been too long for this club to not be in a major cup final, so it's nice to finally get there," said Gerrard. "It's going to be superb for myself. I've led the boys out at Cardiff before but to lead them out at the new Wembley stadium is going to be a special occasion for myself.

"I'm sure we'll be massive favourites [in the final] but we've got to show Cardiff respect and put in the kind of performance we put in on Wednesday night. It's going to be the game of their lives. They're going to be right up for it.

"They are going to play at a level they've not played at before so it's important that we don't drop our standards. We've got to raise our game and if we do, I'm sure we can lift the cup."

The two sides will meet in the capital on February 26.