Liverpool and Chelsea both rested players in midweek league losses, which Michael Cox said could help make for a more entertaining FA Cup final on Saturday ... for FA Cup finals are rarely exciting spectacles. Four of the past five have finished 1-0, and only three of the past 18 have seen both sides score. Liverpool has a habit of contesting -- and winning -- finals in eventful circumstances, but defensive discipline and levels of stamina will probably decide this one.

Liverpool has beaten against Chelsea already this season: a 2-1 win in the league, followed by a 2-0 victory in the Carling Cup, both at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge. But those games were played before Roberto Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas and guided Chelsea to the Champions League final.

For Liverpool, the FA Cup has been the sole focus since the Carling Cup success against Cardiff City in February, with its league form disastrous since the turn of the year. Di Matteo kept the hopes of a fourth-place Premier League finish alive until this week, though has conceded defeat after losing to Newcastle.