Adam's Carling Cup Concentration

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam will not be taking this weekend's Carling Cup final opponents Cardiff lightly and insists him and his teammates will approach the game with the utmost respect.

The former Blackpool man is no stranger to big games against the Welsh outfit having scored a memorable free-kick against them to help earn the Tangerines promotion to the Premier League in 2010.

Unlike Blackpool in 2010 Liverpool go into Sunday's showdown against Cardiff as favourites and Adam knows all too well how such a tag can inhibit a side on the day and galvanise the underdogs.

"When I played there in the play-off final it was a great occasion for Blackpool, because we were underdogs," he said.

"You always give respect to the opposition, no matter who you're playing.

"They've come a long way, they're a good side, with a good manager and they are on the right road.

"They've been in the play-offs for a number of years but they've just not had the luck to get to the Premier League - that's the difference."

Even though this does represent the chance for Liverpool to secure their first trophy since the infamous FA Cup 'Gerrard Final' in Cardiff six years ago Adam insists the club are very much concentrating on their next game.

"We only concentrate on the next game - and the next game for us is the Carling Cup final,"