THERE are surely few footballers to have expressed an aversion to scoring a Wembley winner. But then, there are surely few footballers like Liverpool FC forward Craig Bellamy.

The proverbial Marmite character throughout his well-travelled career, the hugely-talented Wales international has long polarised opinion with his volatile on-field character and brutal off-field honesty.

What has never been questioned, though, is the affection for his two favourite clubs; hometown team Cardiff City and Liverpool FC, the side he supported as a youngster.

Sunday, then, will have significant emotional resonance for the Anfield forward when the two clubs do battle for the Carling Cup.

Inevitably, it was Bellamy’s goal in the rollercoaster semi-final victory over Manchester City that sealed a date with destiny and Liverpool’s first Wembley appearance in almost 16 years.

Such progress is another signpost of the strides Kenny Dalglish’s side continue to make towards regaining their place among the elite of English football.

But the 32-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Cardiff, knows all too well what Sunday means for the Bluebirds.

“As a Liverpool player, it’s an opportunity to add another trophy to this club’s incredible history,” says Bellamy. “But I just hope it’s the start of things to come for Cardiff.

“If I was watching Cardiff as a kid and if you said we’d be playing Liverpool in a League Cup final in the future, it would be incredible. Having already played in a play-off final and an FA Cup final, it would continue an incredible run they’ve had in recent years.

“With the transfer embargoes and problems they’ve had, it’s hard work. I saw that for myself when I was there last year. I know how hard it can be.

“Things like strappings weren’t paid for, I needed treatment and had to pay for it myself. That’s the resources they have, it has been a struggle for Cardiff.”

Bellamy adds: “To reach the final is more a reward for them than us at Liverpool. How times have we won this trophy already? Seven times. How many times have we won the European Cup? Five times.

“It’s endless, what we have been able to achieve. A big part of me hopes the final affects Cardiff in the right way to gain momentum from this experience.

“But selfishly it’s a narrow win for us, and I play no involvement in the winning goal!”

However, should Bellamy play an integral part in a Liverpool triumph, it would not be a surprise given his form.

The Welshman has netted seven goals in his last eight starts and, as a free transfer arrival from Manchester City last August, has arguably been the most successful of the summer signings.

Bellamy, though, was confident he would succeed in his second stint at Anfield.

“It was either going to be here or Tottenham,” he says. “I had a great choice. I was relaxed I was going to make an impact wherever I went. That’s not me being arrogant, I just believed I would do well.

“I ended the last season strongly at Cardiff, I felt really sharp and I carried that momentum on with a really good pre-season at Man City.

“I knew no matter who I was going to play for, I could make an impact. Luckily enough I’ve steered away from injury and it’s allowed me to do that.”