Romance of FA Cup puts Liverpool’s goalkeeper Jones in Wembley spotlight

LONDON — Fresh evidence that the fabled romance of the FA Cup is thriving will be on display at Wembley today as goalkeeper Brad Jones prepares to turn out for Liverpool in the Merseyside semifinal against Everton. The 30-year-old Australian — Liverpool's third-choice goalkeeper — has been propelled into the spotlight after the suspensions picked up by first-choice stopper Pepe Reina and his understudy Alexander Doni in recent weeks.

If he plays against Everton today, it will be only Jones' fourth appearance for the Reds following his transfer from Middlesbrough in 2010. It also comes after a tumultuous period in Jones' personal life following the tragic death of his five-year-old son Luca from leukaemia in November and the birth of his second son Nico last week.

Jones entered the reckoning for an FA Cup semifinal appearance after Doni's sending off against Blackburn on Tuesday. Jones made an instant impact in that match by saving a penalty with his first touch. "It's been a difficult 18 months for me with losing my son," Jones reflected this week. "Luca is with me every day. I carry him everywhere. His face is on my washbag and his toys are in my travel bag — I take him everywhere.

"In that sense I've definitely got someone looking over me. It's been difficult not being involved and with everything that has gone on but I've trained as hard as I can and hopefully that will stand me in good stead. "The last few days have been hectic after my girlfriend gave birth to Nico. I've been getting into the routine of having a baby in the house — it's been a good week for me.

"Obviously now I'll be preparing for a big game on Saturday so she might have a bit more work on her hands. "It's going to be a big occasion against Everton. I have to make sure I do the right things and it's going to be an extra special day." Liverpool's goalkeeping crisis — and their alarming recent dip in Premier League form — means Kenny Dalglish's side are taking nothing for granted against Everton, who they have beaten twice this season.
Today's clash at Wembley also carries an added poignancy as it coincides with tomorrow's 23rd anniversary of the 1989 Hillsbrough disaster, the same year that Liverpool and Everton met in the final at Wembley.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged his team-mates to remain tightly focused on the game rather than the occasion.
"It's a proud day for me to lead the lads out at Wembley again and it's a proud day for the city," Gerrard said.
"It's a massive game and it's been a long time since Liverpool played Everton at Wembley so it's a fantastic occasion for the supporters.
"It's another important game for us players, we need to try and forget it's Everton and just focus on a really tough game on the day.
"We realise that it's important not to get ahead of ourselves. Although the game is at Wembley, it's still only a semifinal."
The winners of today's showdown face a final date with either Tottenham or Chelsea, who face each other tomorrow in an evening kick-off.
Chelsea's interim manager Roberto Di Matteo will prepare for the tie in the knowledge that he must somehow keep his troops fresh for next week's Champions League semifinal first leg against Barcelona.
In a move that has been widely condemned, the Football Association refused to grant Chelsea's request to have the match moved to an earlier day in order to give his weary team as much time as possible to prepare for Barca.
Meanwhile Spurs are hoping to set aside their dire league form which has seen them record just one win in eight games as they seek a first FA Cup in 21 years.
Tottenham winger Gareth Bale said Spurs are anxious to atone for their shock loss to Portsmouth at the same stage in 2010.
"We let ourselves down against Portsmouth two years ago, we didn't play well and that was a tough defeat to take, but we've got another chance to reach the FA Cup final and we're determined not to let it slip by this time," Bale said. — AFP