The England international has won a host of medals for the Merseyside club after he helped the Reds to two FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Cup and the Champions League.

However, Gerrard has never led Liverpool out at Wembley - something he admits has always been an ambition since he first watched his side lose to Manchester United there in 1996.

The Reds won four major trophies during the five seasons that English domestic cup finals were held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, but Gerrard admits that Sunday's final against Cardiff will be all the more special because of its location at the home of English football.

"Every time I played for Liverpool at Cardiff and led the team out there, there was a bit of me thinking 'if only this was Wembley'," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"Don't get me wrong, we had some great days in Cardiff and I've got some fantastic memories of playing at the Millennium Stadium, but I'd have preferred to have won those trophies at Wembley.

"When growing up as a kid, I dreamed about playing in cup finals at Wembley. Then when I became captain of Liverpool, I dreamed about leading the team out there."

Wembley holds special memories for the Reds skipper as he made his England debut at the old ground 12 years ago before captaining his country at the new stadium.

And Gerrard cannot wait to lead out his side wearing the red shirt of Liverpool - the club he has played for during his entire career.

"Wembley cup finals are magnificent occasions. I've been there as a supporter and as a player. I know everyone is excited about Sunday and I can't wait to get back there," he said.

"To finally get the chance to achieve that with Liverpool will be amazing. I've experienced both the old and the new Wembley and I can tell you it's a very special place.

"You walk out and are hit by the number of people there. It's new and it's modern but the buzz is just the same as it was.

"There's the drive up to it, up Wembley Way. Instead of the twin towers, there's now the massive arch. It's a magnificent arena and one of the best I've ever played in."

Sunday will be Gerrard's fourth League Cup final and the Reds skipper is desperate to banish his most recent memory of playing in the final after Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Chelsea in Cardiff in 2005.

Gerrard headed the ball into his own net to allow the Blues to draw level at 1-1 before Chelsea eventually went on to win the contest in extra-time.

"I've experienced both sides of it," Gerrard said.

"The own goal I scored and losing to Chelsea in 2005 was one of the lowest days I've had as a footballer. Losing a cup final is a horrible feeling.

"I've won this cup twice (in 2001 and 2003) and now I'm going for the hat-trick. That's my goal.

"We just need to make sure we come away with the right result. As long as we get the right result it will be a day to cherish.

"If we win on Sunday this group of players will experience what it's like to walk around a stadium full of your supporters going wild. That buzz and the tingles that gives you drives you on to want more.

"I'll be doing everything I can on Sunday to ensure we come away from Wembley with that cup on our bus."