| | Diego Cavalieri claims Liverpool are desperate to up their game in the cup competitions this season - starting with a victory over Leeds United tonight which the Brazilian would dedicate to his late father. |
| The Reds were eliminated in the fourth round of both domestic knockouts in 2008-09 - meaning Pepe Reina's understudy got to play just four games throughout the term. Cavalieri is now hoping to make a fifth Liverpool appearance at Elland Road, where a win would be devoted to a supportive dad who died last month. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "For me, it was really bad news. My father started with me in football and gave me a lot of support. But I need to work hard, keep my focus and play. "Before, every game was for him - and now that continues. I think a victory will be very important for Liverpool and for him." Liverpool have not won a major trophy since the 2006 FA Cup - a fact Cavalieri admits he and his teammates are desperate to change. "All the competitions are important," he said "When you don't win trophies it's difficult. The fans want trophies and I think we need to win some this year - that is important for the club and the supporters. "It's an important competition for me too because whenever you play you have to do well and show your quality. "The Carling Cup was frustrating last season, losing to Tottenham when we'd been winning in the league. For me, I wanted to win and continue in the cup. We lost too early. "This game is very dangerous but if we work hard, work together and have intensity, we can win. "With Liverpool, whatever game it is, you need to win - there is pressure to win." Leeds are currently top of League One and are one of just four teams still unbeaten in the Football League. Cavalieri has done his homework on the West Yorkshire outfit and knows the Reds will be up against it if they are to continue on the road to Wembley. "They are a team that plays with intensity," said the 26-year-old. "They like to play a long ball and they are strong - but these things are normal in England. "I know about their record this season. It makes it difficult for us because when a team is winning they play with confidence. This is an important factor on this game. "The fans are important but they are outside of the pitch. It's good for Leeds but the fans are not on the pitch so they are not a problem for us. "I played in Wembley 10 years ago with the national U17s team, but that was the old Wembley. Now it's new and it would be important to play there, but all we can think about now is Leeds." Meanwhile, Cavalieri revealed why he is a different goalkeeper than the one who arrived from South America more than a year ago. "I think I have more confidence now and am more adapted," he said. "It was difficult for me when I arrived because in Brazil they play differently. "The goalkeeper doesn't need to stay high and doesn't need to play with his feet all the time. The game is not as intense and here in England the pitches are always wet - that makes it difficult for goalkeepers. "For me, (goalkeeping coach) Xavi Valero is very important. He talks with me all the time, shows me videos of other teams, shows me how to play in England and talks with me all the time. "When I came here he told me that when the team plays high, I have to play high, and that was new for me. All the time he shouted at me, 'Diego, go high, go high.' "All this is very important to me. When you don't play too much you have to work hard, and Xavi works hard with me. "He's improved me physically, mentally and with the small details." Being number two to one of the world's greatest goalkeepers requires a lot of patience - but Cavalieri is not one to go banging on the manager's door. "It's good because you learn a lot," he said. "I had this situation at Palmeries in Brazil. I had a challenge with Marcos, who was a fantastic goalkeeper and played in the 2002 World Cup. "They don't make mistakes, so it's difficult for me to play. But when you train together you learn a lot." | |
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