Bellamy: Liverpool Deserve More

Craig Bellamy believes that Liverpool need to keep striving if they hope to challenge for more trophies, with the club looking beyond the success of the Carling Cup to qualifying for next season's Champions League.

The Reds currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, and are seven points behind fifth and fourth placed Chelsea and Arsenal. The side have automatically qualified for the Europa League through their win in the Carling Cup, and will now aim for higher in Europe as the season hits the business end.

"We knew it was going to be difficult," Bellamy told LFC magazine. "Finals always are. We thought we'd won it then they fought back and were outstanding all the way through. I do feel sorry for them but I'm delighted for us.

"We'll have to wait and see what the future holds. As players we certainly don't think it's the end of the season. We have a trophy but we need to keep working hard if we want to be at the levels we want to be at; where this club deserves to be."

Dirk Kuyt in particularly was on fire for Liverpool as they worked their way to a win on penalties against Cardiff. The forward scored the equaliser against the Championship side, and was successful with his penalty as well, giving the Anfield club a much needed lift as they won their first trophy in six years.

"It was a fantastic goal and the game needed that," Bellamy said. "Then he scored a penalty in the shoot-out as well and it shows you the character he has. He gave us a big lift.

"He told us to keep believing and continue with our normal approach."

Kuyt himself was delighted with the goal, and the Liverpool hero said that he couldn't be more honoured to receive his Carling Cup medal.

"I've been at Liverpool nearly six years now and I came to Anfield to win trophies," he told the Liverpool Daily Post. "All that matters is trophies and this feels like a gold medal.

"If you want to be remembered as a football player you need to win trophies. You can say the Carling Cup is not the most important trophy but for me today it is the most important one.

"I lost the Champions League final and lost the World Cup final so to win the Carling Cup means something very special for me. I am really pleased with the performance we gave and hopefully we will back here at Wembley again soon.

"Wembley is now a special place for me. To be involved in a final here, score and play an important part is something I won't forget for the rest of my life."