Regardless who Everton would meet in the FA Cup final, Chelsea or Spurs, the Toffee's would represent England in the Europa League.
And it is at times like these you want an extra special performance from Ex-Newcastle players Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique.
However ... that spat between James Perch and Pepe Reina at St James' Park last month could come back and bite us on the arse!
Because Reina saw red during that game with the Toon, and it ruled him out as he completes his three-match suspension.
Second choice 'keeper Alexander Doni's appeal against his red card at Blackburn on Tuesday was rejected.
Leaving ex-Smoggy Brad Jones wearing the gloves at Wembley on Saturday.
And anyone who say midweek Match Of The Day will have seen how the Australian goalkeeper, who has made just three appearances for the Reds, shit his pants at Ewood Park and SHOULD have been sent off.
However, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is confident Jones will rise to the challenge in tomorrow’s FA Cup semi-final.
Steven Gerrard: “We are all gutted for Doni as he had waited patiently for his chance in the team.
“He came in against Aston Villa and did really well. Unfortunately he had to do what he had to do against Blackburn.
"When you are one on one like that there’s no option.
“You are guaranteed to get a straight red card if you bring the man down and it was so frustrating for him.
“We have to accept it and get on with it and it’s lucky we’ve got three really good goalkeepers.
“Brad couldn’t have made a better start the other night with that fantastic save from the penalty.
“He’s an Australia international who has played many times in the Premier League. Now Brad will come in and he won’t let us down.”
AND WE HOPE GERRARD IS RIGHT!
Jones was signed by Middlesbrough after he was released by Norwich City, playing in their youth system, and signed a professional contract in March 1999.
He made his first team début in the FA Cup third round against Notts County in 2004 and later that season won a League Cup winners medal.
He had loan spells at several clubs; in the 2001–02 season he played two games for Irish club side Shelbourne F.C.
He made his professional and League of Ireland début on 5 October against local rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park and conceded 4 goals in a 6–4 victory one of which was direct from his own goal kick, his only other appearance for the club came one week later in a 3–1 home victory against Monaghan United.
Later he had loan spells at Stockport County and Blackpool. In the 2005–06 season, playing for Middlesbrough, Jones saved a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty which left the match against Manchester United level at 0–0.
In August 2006, Jones was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday for a period of three months. He made a somewhat up-and-down start to his loan spell, making some vital saves as well as conceding penalties in successive games against Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United. On 21 October, his own fans turned on him and attacked him by throwing coins and other missiles during the home game against Queens Park Rangers.
With his mentor in Mark Schwarzer moving to Fulham, Jones became first choice goalkeeper at Middlesbrough.
He picked up an injury in the second game of the 2008–09 season and subsequently missed the next two games. Jones regained his place in the Middlesbrough first team in January 2009 and remained first choice as Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premier League.
Another pre-season injury saw him miss the start of the season but he regained his place after new signing Danny Coyne conceded 5 against West Bromwich Albion. He remained in the Boro side for the rest of the season, although they failed to gain promotion from the Championship.
In August 2010, he made a £2.3m move to Liverpool. In March 2011, after only two games for the Reds, he joined Derby County on loan until the end of the season.
ON THIS DAY - APRIL 13th YearCompOpponentsVResultScorers (where available)AttView options 2010 CHMP Reading A W 2-1 Nolan 20, 42 23,163 Report Results Table 2002 PREM Derby County A W 3-2 Robert 73; Dyer 76; Lua Lua 90 31,031 Report Results Table 1998 PREM BARNSLEY H W 2-1 Results Table 1997 PREM Sheffield Wednesday A D 1-1 Results Table 1991 DIV2 OLDHAM ATHLETIC H W 3-2 Results Table 1985 DIV1 QUEENS PARK RANGERS H W 1-0 Results Table 1974 DIV1 Manchester United A L 0-1 Results Table 1968 DIV1 BURNLEY H W 1-0 Results Table 1957 DIV1 Wolverhampton Wanderers A L 0-2 Results Table 1936 DIV2 Hull City A W 3-2 Results Table 1935 DIV2 Southampton A L 0-2 Results Table 1929 DIV1 Bolton Wanderers A L 0-1 Results Table 1925 DIV1 Sheffield United A W 2-1 Results Table 1914 DIV1 Manchester City A W 1-0 Results Table 1912 DIV1 LIVERPOOL H D 1-1 Results Table 1910 DIV1 SUNDERLAND H W 1-0 Results Table 1907 DIV1 SHEFFIELD UNITED H D 0-0 Results Table 1906 DIV1 Bury A W 4-1 Results Table 1903 DIV1 BOLTON WANDERERS H W 2-0 Results Table 1901 DIV1 SHEFFIELD UNITED H W 3-0 Results Table 1900 DIV1 MANCHESTER CITY H D 0-0 Results Table 1895 DIV2 NEWTON HEATH H W 3-0 Results Table
FIXTURES THIS WEEKEND
Saturday 14th April 2012
Norwich City v Manchester City 12:45 Sunderland v Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Queens Park Rangers 15:00 The FA Cup Semi-Final Liverpool v Everton 12:30 Sunday 15th April 2012 Manchester United v Aston Villa 16:00 The FA Cup Semi-Final Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea 18:00
Source: FOOTYMAD
