Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish believes a place in the Carling Cup final is just reward for treating the competition with respect.
The Reds boss, who has routinely named strong sides even against lower-league opposition throughout their run to Wembley, criticised other clubs for fielding weakened teams.
From the start the Scot targeted winning the Carling Cup as an achievable goal and they are within 90 minutes of completing that mission.
Dalglish believes other teams have missed an opportunity to win the first silverware of the season.
"I don't think it (the competition) has regained the credibility from years gone by," said Dalglish. "I think we have treated it with respect but the teams that have treated it with respect are few and far between.
"We have treated it very seriously. We've used 20-odd players to get there so every member of the squad bar a couple has made a contribution.
"We are grateful to all of them, to the owners and supporters and everyone who has stood by us."