Gerrard insists cup is half full

Andy Carroll’s winner at Wembley has given Liverpool fans a welcome but nevertheless thought-provoking dilemma: is their season now to be described as a success or a failure?

Just a few weeks ago, as Dalglish’s side slumped to a 2-0 reverse at Newcastle, there were murmurs, however muffled, that King Kenny himself was under pressure after six defeats in seven Premier League games that left his team eighth in the table and 16 points adrift of the top four; a scenario that must have seemed almost surreal to the Scotsman given his level of success at Anfield in previous spells as both player and manager.

Carroll looked increasingly lost, unbearably burdened by his transfer fee, and the Anfield board — despite a public ‘vote of confidence’ in their manager — appeared increasingly edgy.