GERRARD DREAMING OF MORE CUP GLORY

Paul Eaton 03 January 2007 Steven Gerrard has a twin FA Cup aim this season: to help the Reds defend the trophy for the first time in their history and to become the first Liverpool captain to lift the famous trophy twice.

Liverpool kick off their defence of the Cup they won so memorably in Cardiff last season when they entertain Arsenal this weekend in what is undoubtedly the tie of the third round. Gerrard admits the draw could have been kinder to the Reds, but he believes Arsenal have more to worry about ahead of kick-off than Rafael Benitez's in-form side. He said: "The draw could have been kinder but the important thing is we are at home. They will be fearing the tie more than we will. "They're a top side with top players and we know it's going to be a very difficult game but we've proved we can beat anybody at Anfield and I'm sure it's going to be a terrific match this weekend. We're certainly all looking forward to it. "We've got a really strong squad, we're playing well at the moment and I fancy us to be in the draw for the fourth round." Ron Yeats (1965), Emlyn Hughes (1974), Alan Hansen (1986), Ronnie Whelan (1989) and Mark Wright (1992) have all skippered the Reds to FA Cup glory while 2001 captain Sami Hyypia was joined by Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler in lifting the trophy after our victory over Arsenal in Cardiff. Gerrard inspired the Reds to Cup glory over West Ham last year and has now revealed his determination to make history and be the first captain to lift the trophy at the new Wembley Stadium. "I know Liverpool have never won the FA Cup two years in a row but this team likes breaking records and rewriting history and this is another statistic we want to put right," he added. "We all remember how we won the competition last season and we're keen to do it again. I'd love nothing better than to lift the trophy again at the new Wembley at the end of the season."