Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is looking forward to leading out the side at Wembley for the first time but has cautioned against complacency given what happened to Arsenal in last year’s final against Birmingham City.

Kenny Dalglish’s side drew 2-2 with Premier League leaders Manchester City last night to book their place in the Carling Cup final 3-2 on aggregate.

They will face Cardiff City on February 26 and Gerrard, who has never been to the home of English football with his hometown club, insists the Championship side will not be under-estimated.

“It’s been too long for this club to not be in a major cup final, so it’s nice to finally get there,” said Gerrard, whose penalty helped end the Liverpool’s 16-year Wembley absence.

“It’s going to be superb for myself. I’ve led the boys out at Cardiff before but to lead them out at the new Wembley stadium is going to be a special occasion for myself.

“It was a tough game but we were brave, we were bold and we attacked, and we got our reward.

“A big ‘well done’ to everyone who has taken part in the Carling Cup so far but the key message now is that it’s not done.

“Arsenal slipped up against Birmingham last year when they were massive favourites.

“I’m sure we’ll be massive favourites but we’ve got to show Cardiff respect and put in the kind of performance we put in last night.

“It’s going to be the game of their lives. They’re going to be right up for it.

“They are going to play at a level they’ve not played at before so it’s important that we don’t drop our standards.

“We’ve got to raise our game and if we do, I’m sure we can lift the cup.”

Key to last night’s success was former City striker Craig Bellamy, whose goal 16 minutes from time secured the draw which knocked out his former employers.

It was the second time in game Liverpool had come from behind after Gerrard’s contentious penalty had equalised Nigel de Jong’s long-range strike only for Edin Dzeko to put City ahead again on the night in the second half.

Bellamy, who re-signed for Liverpool in August, has now scored eight goals in 22 appearances, many as substitute, which is just one short of the tally he managed in 42 games in his first short spell at Anfield in 2006/2007.

Gerrard believes the 32-year-old is having a similar impact to that of Gary McAllister, who joined Liverpool aged 35 and helped the club win an impressive treble of the Carling Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup in his first season.

“Craig has been superb since he’s come in. He’s a fantastic professional who works really hard and he got his rewards here,” Gerrard said.

“He was a menace all night – that’s what type of player he is.

“He’s in your face, he runs in behind, he doesn’t let you settle on the ball and I’m sure if he carries on he can have the impact at this club that Gary McAllister did.”