Steven Gerrard believes that beating Aston Villa today to reach the FA Cup final would be an important step for the growth of a young Liverpool team.
The Reds' skipper could see out his final Liverpool appearance at Wembley in the FA Cup final, the same day as his 35th birthday. But whilst the incentive of lifting silverware on his birthday is something he'd dearly love, Gerrard is more focused on the benefits it would give the Liverpool team he is leaving behind.
"I was a young player in 2000-01 when Liverpool won three cups and I know how significant it is to sample that unique taste of success," Gerrard wrote in his last programme notes.
"We need something that is going to act as a catalyst for this current young squad, something that is going to give the players the belief they can be successful for a number of years.
"Sometimes, it takes a major trophy for you to get that belief. The experience of going to Wembley makes you want to get back there as soon as possible.
"So the Aston Villa game becomes very important. We realise it's going to be very tough but if we get through it will do everyone in the squad wonders, as well as Brendan and the staff."