Liverpool vs. Chelsea: Why the FA Cup Final Means More to the Reds

The FA Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea features two of the Premier League's giants in the midst of strange seasons, but the Reds have much more at stake in this match, and it will show on the pitch.

It used to be a given that both these clubs would finish in the top four, but that is not the case this season.

Chelsea is just four points back from the fourth and final Champions League spot, but could also qualify for European competition by beating Bayern Munich in the finals.

Liverpool, however, never qualified for the Champions League and sits 12 points back from Tottenham and Newcastle, who are tied for fourth.

There will be no shot at European glory for the Reds next year, and that further puts a damper on what has been a dreadful 2011-12 campaign. 

At clubs like Liverpool and Chelsea, trophies are like oxygen to the managers and players—without them, they die.

Winning is the only thing that matters to the owners and boards of these teams, and if someone cannot get results, they get replaced. 

Sometimes, a player or manager is axed even before they get the chance to fail, as was the case with Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea this season.

As the Blues have already fired a manager once this year, doing it a second time to current boss Roberto Di Matteo would not seem like that big of a deal.

For Liverpool, on the other hand, firing Kenny Dalglish would show how far the mighty club has fallen.

The Reds have won the league title 18 times, which is second only to Manchester United. They also have five European championships and seven FA Cup trophies.

This presents a very high standard for success.

Furthermore, sacking Dalglish would mean the club would have to hire their third manager in three years. This is a major shift from the prolonged period of success during Rafa Benitez's six-year stint in Merseyside.

Liverpool is spiraling. They are headed for their worst league finish in recent memory, and now, all their hopes rest on the FA Cup final.

A win against Chelsea on May 5 would salvage some respect for the Reds—and it just may save Dalglish's job.

If the Scotsman can earn a result that allows him some time to turn the club's fortunes around, the Reds just may be alright after all.