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Liverpool ends long wait for a silverware
Source: Agencies |
February 28, 2012, Tuesday
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FOR Liverpool to end a six-year title drought in the Carling Cup final on Sunday, the influence of a player called Gerrard was expected to be crucial. That it came down to Cardiff defender Anthony Gerrard's penalty miss was less predictable.
After Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's spot kick in the penalty shootout was saved following the teams' 2-2 draw after extra time, cousin Anthony came to his rescue by also failing to score.
It was the miss that ensured Liverpool won the shootout 3-2 at Wembley Stadium, giving the team a record eighth League Cup and its first title since the 2006 FA Cup.
"It's always cruel when it comes to penalties," Steven Gerrard said. "It was always going to be that one of us was sad and one celebrating. I've got mixed emotions. I'm delighted to win the cup for our supporters. But I feel for Anthony and Cardiff. It doesn't matter what I say to him, he's going to be down. I'll be there for him."
Cardiff proved to be a stubborn opponent for Liverpool to break down. Liverpool had to fight back after Joe Mason gave Cardiff a shock lead in the 19th minute, with Martin Skrtel leveling on the hour.
Liverpool took until the 108th minute to hit the front, with Dirk Kuyt smashing in the rebound after his initial effort was blocked by Anthony Gerrard.
Despite Kuyt making an initial goal-line clearance from Filip Kiss, the Netherlands international couldn't prevent Ben Turner from scrambling the ball over the line from a corner to level in the 118th and ensure the match would be settled by spot kicks.
It was a nerve-racking way for Kenny Dalglish to win his first trophy for Liverpool since the 1990 league title and complete his collection of domestic honors as a manager. "It's not a nice way to win a cup but we'll take it," he said.
It is 13 months since the 60-year-old Scot was brought back by new owner John Henry after a 20-year absence to rescue a club closer to the relegation places than chasing a 19th English league title.
"Although we have won something today, that is not us finished," Dalglish said. "We don't want to stop here, we want to keep going. (Liverpool) means an awful lot to a lot of people. All we do is try to make them as happy as we possibly can.
"Hopefully it makes up for some of the days when we have not been able to."
The victory ensures the team will return to the Europa league next season.
"This is what I came to Liverpool for, and to win a first trophy is excellent," Kuyt said. "Hopefully we can add another (the FA Cup) later in the season."
After Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's spot kick in the penalty shootout was saved following the teams' 2-2 draw after extra time, cousin Anthony came to his rescue by also failing to score.
It was the miss that ensured Liverpool won the shootout 3-2 at Wembley Stadium, giving the team a record eighth League Cup and its first title since the 2006 FA Cup.
"It's always cruel when it comes to penalties," Steven Gerrard said. "It was always going to be that one of us was sad and one celebrating. I've got mixed emotions. I'm delighted to win the cup for our supporters. But I feel for Anthony and Cardiff. It doesn't matter what I say to him, he's going to be down. I'll be there for him."
Cardiff proved to be a stubborn opponent for Liverpool to break down. Liverpool had to fight back after Joe Mason gave Cardiff a shock lead in the 19th minute, with Martin Skrtel leveling on the hour.
Liverpool took until the 108th minute to hit the front, with Dirk Kuyt smashing in the rebound after his initial effort was blocked by Anthony Gerrard.
Despite Kuyt making an initial goal-line clearance from Filip Kiss, the Netherlands international couldn't prevent Ben Turner from scrambling the ball over the line from a corner to level in the 118th and ensure the match would be settled by spot kicks.
It was a nerve-racking way for Kenny Dalglish to win his first trophy for Liverpool since the 1990 league title and complete his collection of domestic honors as a manager. "It's not a nice way to win a cup but we'll take it," he said.
It is 13 months since the 60-year-old Scot was brought back by new owner John Henry after a 20-year absence to rescue a club closer to the relegation places than chasing a 19th English league title.
"Although we have won something today, that is not us finished," Dalglish said. "We don't want to stop here, we want to keep going. (Liverpool) means an awful lot to a lot of people. All we do is try to make them as happy as we possibly can.
"Hopefully it makes up for some of the days when we have not been able to."
The victory ensures the team will return to the Europa league next season.
"This is what I came to Liverpool for, and to win a first trophy is excellent," Kuyt said. "Hopefully we can add another (the FA Cup) later in the season."
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