Enrique: Cup bid starts at Cottage

Carl Markham

LIVERPOOL defender Jose Enrique believes it is key the team head into Saturday's FA Cup final with momentum -- and that means beating Fulham at Anfield tonight.

The eighth-placed Reds have nothing to play for in the Premier League except for catching near-neighbours Everton immediately above them.

Winning a second cup of the season is far more important, but Enrique said they could not afford to waste the confidence boost given to them by last weekend's 3-0 win at Norwich.

"It was a good start to a big week for us," said the Spaniard.

"We have to beat Fulham first before we think about the cup final. "I know we aren't playing for anything in the league but it's important for us to get three points to get some confidence ahead of the final.

"It's a home game and we want to do well. Then we have an amazing final to prepare for."

Scoring goals has been the problem, particularly at Anfield, this season and their last appearance there highlighted that all too plainly. In probably the most dominant performance of the season they created chance after chance against West Brom only to lose to a defensive mistake. Striker Luis Suarez was the difference against Norwich with a hat-trick to take his league tally to 11.

"It was an amazing performance from Luis," Enrique said.

"I don't think I've ever seen a better hat-trick than that. I told him after the game that he just needed a little bit of luck."

Striker Andy Carroll has returned to training after being left out of the trip to Carrow Road as a precaution and comes back into the squad.