Mansfield Town v Liverpool
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Third Round Proper
4pm, Sunday 6 January 2013
The One Call Stadium, Mansfield Town FC
Winning clubs receive £67,500 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By Nicholas Veevers

Steven Gerrard hopes Liverpool can find some FA Cup magic this season, as they prepare to face non-League Mansfield Town on Sunday.

The Reds reached The Final last season, only to lose against Chelsea and from that occasion at Wembley last May, they will next be in action at the One Call Stadium.

And it’s scenarios like this which Liverpool captain Gerrard likes the most about The FA Cup.

He told TheFA.com: “Our last game in The FA Cup was in The Final against Chelsea, and in the Third Round this season we play away at Mansfield.

“That’s what The FA Cup is all about. It’s the only competition in the world where the underdog can beat a heavy favourite and that’s why I love it so much.

“I’ve been knocked out by lower league teams and have also won major Finals.

“I’ve seen it all close-hand and I wouldn’t swap those memories for anything in the world.”

Gerrard has tasted FA Cup victory twice in his career, in 2001 and 2006, and it’s a competition which he says is held in high regard throughout the game. 

And following last season’s ultimate disappointment, Gerrard is keen to embark upon another run this time around.

“It’s the most important cup to win in England,” he added.

“I’ve had some very good experiences in it and I’ve had some bad experiences too.

“But it’s such an important competition and when the foreign players come to this country, they are all so desperate to play in and win The FA Cup because it is so well-known world-wide.”