MX23RW : Thursday, January 9 14:58:06| >> :60:1019:1019:

Simon Mignolet: 'Steven Gerrard won't let us dream about FA Cup final'

Simon Mignolet says that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has forbidden the team from discussing the prospect of reaching the FA Cup final.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has insisted that none of his teammates are looking past FA Cup semi-final opponents Aston Villa and dreaming of the final.

The Reds booked their place in Wembley on Wednesday when Philippe Coutinho's 70th-minute winner proved enough to see off Blackburn Rovers and secure a last-four spot.

With Villa fighting for their Premier League lives, Brendan Rodgers's side are expected to reach the final, where either Arsenal or Reading await on May 30.

Should they reach the showpiece, it could represent captain Steven Gerrard's last game in a 17-year senior career at the club, and Mignolet says that the legendary figure has forbidden any talk of the final.

"Nobody is talking about it. Stevie is the first one to acknowledge that," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "He is the first one to acknowledge that we can't have any extra pressure on the team.

"He won't let us think in a different way. We just want to focus on Villa and the games before that.

"Before we speak about the final, we have got to get through the semi-final and the only thing we can keep in mind now is how to get past Villa. Then we will see what comes. Villa will be tough."

Liverpool face the Villans on April 19.

ID:216206: cacheID:216206:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2531:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a header during the FA Cup Third Round match between AFC Wimbledon and Liverpool at The Cherry Red Records Stadium on January 5, 2015
Read Next:
Ince: 'Gerrard deserves FA Cup send-off'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20124429191040
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!