McMahon eyes final berth

John McMahon admits the Reserves will be keen to vent some frustration when they lock horns with Tranmere in the Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final at the Kirkby Academy this afternoon.

VIDEO: McMahon on Tranmere>>

The Reds have only played three times since the turn of the year following a series of postponements, leaving the second-string coach to lament a lack of action.

"It's been really difficult," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "You train every day and try to prepare as best as you can for a game. So it's obviously very frustrating that we haven't been able to do that.

"You think you are getting things right but then you get the postponement of a game and it deflates the lads. You need to start again and try and keep spirits high. It's important to keep the mentality high, but it has been a funny situation for us."

The adverse weather conditions over the past few months have left Liverpool with a host of re-arranged fixtures.

McMahon concedes that the lack of competitive football is a new experience for him but is optimistic the players will respond in the right manner when they do return to action.

"It has been difficult to keep the lads focused and now we are starting to see that little bit of excitement creeping in as they know a game is right around the corner," he said.

"Fingers crossed we can produce some sort of performance when we do get back out there.

"You try and replicate match situations in training but it's very difficult to do that. The intensity is not the same and it lacks the competitive nature of a game. You can work hard but it is totally different to when you play matches that matter."

The clash with Rovers will see McMahon go head-to-head with a club where he was once caretaker manager.

He admits there has been a fair bit of banter in the past week and is eager to get one over on Shaun Garnett's team.

"I know Garno (Shaun Garnett) well," he said. "The staff there are all great. They are all knowledgeable and will have their lads fit, organised and ready for the game.

"It'll be a good test. I know from my time at Tranmere that they have a great set up and some quality players. They are all passionate so whatever team they put out will provide us with a tough game.

"I speak to Les Parry quite often. He's done a fantastic job there and the club is bubbling at the moment. They seem to be getting things right with their results and the atmosphere around the club has improved.

"They've asked what sort of team we will be playing so that they can match it up, so yes; we are looking forward to it."

McMahon has no new injury concerns ahead of the clash with the Wirral outfit, revealing that long term injury victim, Francisco Duran could be set for a comeback.

"The only injury we have is to Zsolt Poloskei," he said. "It's a long-term one, but other than that we have Bruna available again and hope he can play some part. 

"Obviously we are without Nathan Eccleston who is on loan at Huddersfield and Dani Pacheco is away at an international training camp.

"We'll also have Francisco Duran, who has been out for a long time now, so it would be nice to see him back playing football again."