ANOTHER Merseyside derby at Wembley and, as the final whistle goes on a famous Liverpool FC triumph, the watching Jamie Carragher bursts into tears.
That was 23 years ago. But while Carragher may find himself once again looking on from the sidelines this afternoon, a win for the red half of the city would solicit an altogether different reaction.
“Hopefully I won’t come back crying this time,” says the Liverpool centre-back. “I never went to the 1984 Milk Cup final, just to the FA Cup ones (in 1986 and 1989).
“Everyone knows I was an Evertonian as a kid and I went to those finals but now the boot is on the other foot.”
None of the 28 derbies in which Carragher has previously been involved has had quite the importance as today’s FA Cup semi-final showdown.
However, the return to fitness of Daniel Agger is likely to see the veteran move aside as the Dane reforms his centre-back partnership with Martin Skrtel.
Read More: Take part in our Merseyside derby FA Cup semi-final live blog, starting at 10.30am
At the age of 35, Jamie Carragher is no longer an automatic selection in the Liverpool FC defence. And while acknowledging the sands of time, the Bootle-born defender will not give up the fight just yet.
“I would be disappointed to miss out, but that was the case when I was seven years of age and that would be the case next season,” he says. “I have always had that passion. I want to play and I will never be able to change.
“Could it be my last semi-final? To be honest, I have always thought like that. My age makes it more of a reality but you never know when you are going to play in these games.”
Carragher adds: “I know I have this season and next season left on my contract, this gives me a chance to play in as many big games and win as many medals as I can.
“It's been a different season for me, but that season was always going to come. I will probably play around 30 games. I know I am not first choice but I would never think about moving on in the summer, no, no.”
Liverpool go into the game in the unusual position of trailing their neighbours in the Premier League table, Everton’s run of just two defeats in 17 games in stark contrast to a record of only three top-flight wins in 14 for the Anfield outfit.
David Moyes and his players have been desperate to shift any weight of expectation back on to Liverpool’s shoulders, but Carragher believes the burden is just as significant for the Goodison outfit.
“There’s always pressure on Liverpool, it doesn’t matter who we are playing or what the game is,” he says.
“I know Everton are trying to play the underdog card but they know there’s pressure going into the semi-final.
“For us, we're expected to be here, we're expected to do well and we're expected to win trophies.
“We’ve won one already this season but that was after six years. Everton have gone a long time without winning so this is huge for them and semi-finals and finals probably don't come round for them all the time.
“They’ll realise how close they are to winning a trophy – it’s not just a derby game, for both of us it’s about winning the FA Cup.
“For a club with the support Everton have got, a great fan base, their history and tradition it’s probably been too long for them.”
