Downing readying himself for a Wembley showdown with Cardiff

Stewart Downing is hoping the 2012 Carling Cup final will offer him an opportunity to right the wrongs of his past experiences of the event.



The Liverpool winger is preparing to figure in his third final, with the Reds set to face Championship side Cardiff at Wembley on 26th February.



Downing was part of the Middlesbrough squad that went all the way in 2004, but was forced to watch on from the bench as Boro saw off Bolton.



Six years later he did manage to get onto the pitch, but he was unable to prevent Aston Villa from coming unstuck against Manchester United.

Downing is determined to ensure that his third appearance is memorable for all of the right reasons, with the England international hoping to a play a leading role in a Liverpool victory.



"The first one I was an unused sub for Middlesbrough. I would have liked to have played but I was still involved," he said.



"The second one for Villa against United - a few things didn't go our way.



"Nemanja Vidic could have been sent off early on and we were a little bit unlucky on the day.



"It would have been nice to finish with a medal but it wasn't to be.



"Hopefully this time around I'll get one."



Liverpool will head to Wembley as firm favourites to collect the silverware, but Downing has warned the Bluebirds that there is no chance of Kenny Dalglish's side taking their eye off the ball.



"You work hard to get there with the trips away to Exeter and Brighton - they stick in your mind," he told the club's website.



"They were hard games so it'd be nice to finish the job off at Wembley."