Charlie Adam says FA Cup tie with Manchester United will be won in the midfield

Jan 28 2012 by Philip Kirkbride, Liverpool Echo

CHARLIE ADAM reckons the key to FA Cup victory lies in the midfield scrap.

Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield this afternoon (12.45pm) for a fourth round tie and summer signing Adam believes the Reds have the cutting edge in the heart of the battle.

Captain Steven Gerrard, according to Adam, could be the difference for Liverpool today and the Scot wants to put the pressure on their visitors.

“When you’ve got any quality player like your captain sitting on the sidelines for as many months as he was, you’re going to miss him,” said Adam.

“It’s good to have him back and you can see he’s starting to get back in his stride in the games.

“In these types of games it is the midfield. In the big games the midfield is the important battle. You need to get in there and get on top of them.

“Hopefully we’ve got the right players on the day, they’re ready and we can win that midfield battle and get into the next round.

“We’re at home and we hope we can put the pressure on to get into the hat for the next round.”

Adam, meanwhile, says manager Kenny Dalglish makes his ideas crystal clear.

“When a manager like that walks through the door he gets his ideas over straight away, and the coaches get their ideas over straight away on the training ground,” he said.

“He’s been here a year and he’ll want to improve on that year for the next few years he’s here, and we’ll do that.”