'This is the best Crystal Palace squad I've ever known'

With Palace boss Alan Pardew’s most-famous moment as a player coming when he scored a dramatic extra-time winner in that tie at Villa Park, there was also an extra edge to it.

So when a sore throat kept Pardew from reminiscing about that day and Saturday’s Fifth Round tie on Friday afternoon, there was an air of disappointment among the media corps at Selhurst Park.

But with assistant manager Keith Millen – a boyhood Palace fan – taking his place, he had his own memories to call upon.

"I was watching the game and cheering Palace on, so I’ll be doing the same again," revealed Millen, who was a young defender at Brentford during that season but still managed to see the Final against Manchester United at Wembley, which went to a replay.

"I was playing then, so I couldn’t see every game but it was a great time to be a Palace fan and they are great memories so that’s what we want to create again.

"When I was younger, I’d come to all the Palace games but Alan wasn’t here then.

"But I remember the day because I followed them when I wasn’t playing myself, and for Alan and the fans they’re great memories.

"There are connections there with Alan so it’s the beauty of the Cup and we’re really keen to get through.

Pardew scored the winning goal in the 1990 FA Cup Semi-Final between Palace and Liverpool

"Those are the emotions that you go through in The FA Cup and we want to have another day like that.

"The players’ goal is to make history themselves and be part of some sort of successful Palace team which maybe wins The FA Cup and then further down the line, you’re the hero.

"I think it’s good to remind them of the history that the club has had, but it’s about them now."

Palace have enjoyed their latest home games with Liverpool too, beating them in their Premier League clash earlier this season.

And it was a 3-3 draw at Selhurst Park last term, when Palace came back from being three goals behind, which dented Liverpool’s title hopes.

So Millen is hoping that Red recollections of those games may put an in-form Liverpool side just off their stride with a spot in the last eight at stake.

"That can play on your mind and it’s not the most luxurious dressing room at Selhurst for the away team," admitted Millen.

"It’s a different [Palace] manager and Liverpool are playing a different formation now, but we’ve got to take confidence from it.

"The last two times they’ve come to Selhurst, they’ve had two tough games and they will realise that they’re in for a tough one on Saturday and we’ve got to make sure we don’t disappoint them.

"We mustn’t get ahead of ourselves but if we can through on Saturday and we’re going well in The FA Cup, there’s a buzz about the place.

"For us, it’s another game and it breeds confidence and can give us momentum.

"The excitement’s there and when you get two or three games away, with some of the big boys out now, it’s a big occasion.

"I remember the occasion of getting to Wembley and we feel we’re getting closer now with each round that goes by so it’s a big incentive for us.”

Palace themselves approach the game in fine form since Pardew’s arrival at the club in January.

They have won five of their last seven games and Millen admits the squad is in good shape for the second half of the season.

"The confidence has grown since Alan’s come in and we’ve had a great run of results and players are back now like Mile Jedinak and Yannick Bolasie," he added.

"We’ve added players in the transfer window and the squad is without doubt the strongest that I’ve known it since I’ve been at the club.

"There’s real competition for places and a real buzz around the training ground.

Palace beat Dover Athletic in the Third Round, with Dwight Gayle among the goalscorers that day

"So it’s a big game for us and we’re not going to be resting players.

"Looking at Liverpool and their strengths, they’re on a great run at the moment, so we’ve got to look at what they do and the manager will pick a team which he feels will win the game.

"We know this is going to be a really tough game, but we realise where we are now and it’s been a while since the club has actually got to the Fifth Round or the Sixth Round."

And as for Pardew, despite his early exit from the training ground on Friday with illness, Millen says he will be back on the bench on Saturday evening.

"He’s lost his voice. He took training but he’s not feeling the best," he explained.

"Hopefully he’ll be okay. He’s not with the team but he should be okay for the game."