• FA Cup

Gerrard sets sights on achieving FA Cup dream

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is desperate to lead his side to glory in the FA Cup after inspiring them to victory over a spirited AFC Wimbledon.

Liverpool battled into the fourth round of the oldest club cup competition following a 2-1 victory at Kingsmeadow, where their imperious captain scored twice and produced an all-round fantastic performance.

It was the first time the 34-year-old had taken to the field following his announcement last week that he would end his association with the club at the end of the season. Now he's desperate to bow out on a high note.

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"I always enjoy the FA Cup," Gerrard told BBC One. "I grew up loving the competition and as it's going to be my last time, I want to make the most of it and try and go all the way.

"If I weren't here playing for this team, I'd probably be in the stands watching it so I know what [the FA Cup] means to every single supporter, that's why I always try to give my best.

"We've got to take each game as it comes. I'm told we've got Bolton at home in the next round and that'll be another difficult test. I know Neil Lennon quite well and I know he'll set up his team to be very difficult to beat.

"We take each game as it comes but of course, [winning the cup is] what dreams are made of and hopefully that'll be the case."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to his captain, saying: "I've always said he's a world-class player, maybe getting older and maybe at times the legs fatigue a wee bit, but he's absolute top draw.

"He's got that real sprinkling of quality that this team needs. His two goals tonight were fantastic.

"The FA Cup final is on his birthday, so there would be no better way for us to mark it. That would be a wonderful send-off for him. OK, he might be getting a bit older but he'll always have that world-class ability and world-class talent.

"There are a lot of games to play in between, but we've targeted a cup victory this season, so we're still very much in line for that moving into the second part of the season.

"The team's still very focused and we played some really good football tonight on a really good pitch. So the idea is to get a cup run, and if we can do it that would be really special of course."

Liverpool were given a stern test by the League Two strugglers, with burly striker Adebayo Akinfenwa cancelling out Gerrard's opener to send the teams in level at half-time.

While the visitors were worthy winners, they survived a couple of close scares after Gerrard's superb free-kick had put them back in front.

Gerrard paid tribute to the Dons, adding: "We expected [a tough encounter], it's the beauty of the FA Cup. It doesn't matter where you are in what league or how you're doing, form seems to go out and the window and it becomes a leveller.

"Fair play to them, I think their manager can be very proud of them, they were honest throughout the team and gave us a real test."

Rodgers was relieved his side managed to avoid a potential banana skin, admitting their performance levels dipped as the first half wore on before improving after half-time.

"It was a very tough game, congratulations to them - I think any coach or manager will tell you, you come to a stadium like this here and that type of game is very, very difficult," he said. "I thought we started the game well, how we would want to, but then we lost our shape within the game and we presented them with chances by giving the ball away.

"We adapted at half-time and in the second half we could have had a few more chances but we still had to defend right the way through to the end.

"I've got to give a bit of testament to my players. We showed the character to come through and get the second goal and really - should have had two or three more."

Wimbledon manager Neil Ardley admitted Gerrard proved the difference: "We got outdone by a world-class player in the end. The headline was written for him after the week he's just had."

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