Liverpool have claimed their first trophy since 2006, beating valiant Cardiff City 3 – 2 on penalties after extra time ended 2 – 2, but this is their first win at Wembley Stadium since 1995, having won trophies at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in 2001, 2003 and 2006. Six years without a trophy for a team like Liverpool is unthinkable, thankfully the long wait is finally over for the Reds.
Glen Johnson almost made the perfect start for the Reds seeing his 20 yard effort come back off the crossbar in the second minute of the game. This set the tempo for the first 19 minutes of the game, but the underdogs defended resolutely before, completely against the run of play, former Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason snatched a goal with a cool finish from nine yards while one on one with Liverpool keeper, Pepe Reina. Cardiff did well to hold onto their lead until the 60th minute when Martin Skrtel netted from 12 yards as Luis Suarez’ shot rebounded off the post.
Liverpool piled on the pressure and Cardiff played the counter-attacking game, both teams having chances to take the lead but both sides defended fantastically, Tom Heaton the hero of the moment. The Championship side never gave up, giving the Premier League side a real run for their money. At full time the scoreline remained 1 – 1 and the game was poised to go to extra time.
The first half of extra time came and went without any real incident as the players on both sides tired. But the game exploded back into life in the second half of extra time, Liverpool’s Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt came on for Andy Carroll and the Dutchman scored five minutes later with a unique 1 – 2; Kuyt’s first shot went straight to Anthony Gerrard, but Gerrard’s attempted clearance went straight back to Kuyt, this time the striker make no mistake, smashing the ball into the back of the net! Liverpool looked like odds on favourites to win with just 12 minutes remaining.
But there was still another twist in the tale; Ben Turner managed to get a foot to the ball in a goal line scramble to equalise for Cardiff with just two minutes remaining. The game is now fast heading to penalties, and I despise penalties, every time the team I support contest penalty kicks, my team usually ends up second best, and after the first two Liverpool penalties, it looked like it was going to happen again, both Steven Gerrard and Charlie Adam missed their spot kicks!
After two penalty kicks each; Cardiff were 1 – 0 up; Dirk Kuyt stepped up and coolly put the ball into the back of the net, then Cardiff’s Rudy Gestede missed his spot kick, with three rounds of penalties taken, Liverpool were back level, the scoreline 1 – 1. Stewart Downing stepped up and scored, as did the Bluebirds, Peter Whittingham. Final spot kick for Liverpool went to Glen Johnson, who stayed calm and netted, leaving Steven Gerrard’s cousin Anthony to take the final spot kick and he fired wide to give Liverpool the victory and their first trophy in six years!
I am hoping that this trophy win will inspire Liverpool onto to claim fourth place in the Premier League to claim a place in the Champions League next season and also claim the double of the Carling Cup and FA Cup, it will be tough, but Liverpool have the squad and manager to achieve it!