Victory At Last: Liverpool Win Carling Cup Final On Penalties

Liverpool 2-2 Cardiff City (3-2 on PK)

Liverpool fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as LFC defeated Cardiff City in a nail-biting Carling Cup final, ending the Reds’ 6 year drought without silverware and setting a record 8 Cup wins for the club.

King Kenny took every precaution against Cardiff City, sending in a strong starting XI, making sure all of his signings since becoming manager were on the roster. Liverpool were attacking from the start, full of energy, like any great team to come out of Anfield, lacking only in the last, finishing touches. Glen Johnson sent in a shot from 25 yards before the 2 minute mark, only to find the post. Though, they soon fell into the rhythm of sending long balls in Andy Carroll’s direction, whose headers weren’t cutting it (shall we blame the ponytail?), falling wide, high, and right into Cardiff ‘keeper Heaton’s hands.

And on it went. Liverpool maintained possession for the better part of 20 minutes, unable to find the back of the net.  Cardiff’s Joe Mason put an end to Liverpool’s dominance in the 19^th minute, scoring off of a pass from Kenny Miller, who was allowed all the time and space he needed amidst a muddled defensive line.

The remaining 26 minutes of the first half saw Liverpool dominate yet again, though attempts from Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, and Andy Carroll were all ineffective.

The second half saw Luis Suarez become more of a presence, giving Heaton some trouble with a well-angled shot and causing McNaughton to intervene just before Suarez sent in a close-range shot.

Bellamy, a former Cardiff striker, was brought on for Henderson in the 58’, to applause from both sets of fans, though Liverpool’s saving grace came in a slightly different form.

Stewart Downing’s corner in the 60^th minute found Andy Carroll who headed it to Luis Suarez who attempted another header, only to have it find the post and rebound to Martin Skrtel, who, in normal Terminator-Skrtel fashion, kept his composure, took a touch, and sent the ball into the back of the net, equalizing and putting Liverpool back in the game.

Martin "The Terminator" Skrtel celebrates his equalizer.

Kenny Miller, with mere minutes left in regular time, had the opportunity- the blessing of catching Liverpool’s defense off-guard, taking a free-kick quickly with plenty of space, only to send the ball soaring over the top of the goal.

Dirk Kuyt: Hero. The Reds celebrate yet another equalizer, this time by the Dutchman.

Extra time started to Liverpool attacking again, Suarez taking another attempt at a header, only to have it blocked. The second period of extra time saw Anthony Gerrard get a chance to face off with his slightly more illustrious cousin as Mark Hudson went off with a cramp. Liverpool weren’t phased by the extra Gerrard on the pitch, it would seem. It took a few minutes for Dirk Kuyt to come to Liverpool’s rescue and score on the rebound from his own cross in the 108.’ By the 118’ things had gotten tense once more, Ben Turner supplying the drama and scoring off of a corner, forcing penalties.

Penalties. In a final. Enough to send shivers down any football fan’s spine.

Steven Gerrard, in decidedly un-Steven Gerrard™ fashion, missed his penalty, sending yours truly into panic-attack mode. Kenny Miller and Charlie Adam both missed as well, with Adam’s ball rocketing into the stratosphere (no news on whether it’s landed yet), before Don Cowie scored, giving Cardiff the lead. Dirk Kuyt, ever the hero, scored, while Rudy Gestede missed, evening the scoreline. Stewart Downing and Peter Whittingham both scored. Glen Johnson found the back of the net, putting Liverpool ahead as Anthony Gerrard stepped up to take his penalty. Anthony Gerrard missed, prompting his cousin to comfort him straight away (such beautiful displays of familial affection!) and Liverpool players to start a man-pile in celebration.

Liverpool Celebrates with a requisite manpile after winning on penalties.

Pepe Reina gets in on the celebrations.

Skipper Stevie G raises the Cup.

Cardiff City fought till the end of this decidedly drawn-out match, supplying football fans with an excellent display of football as they kept Liverpool at bay.

Celebrations continued as Steven Gerrard raised the trophy.

The Reds were the ones who lifted the Cup at long last, ending their 6 years without silverware, giving their American owners their first trophy. King Kenny had even more cause to celebrate, finally winning the one trophy missing from his case as manager.

Kenny Dalglish celebrates after winning the only trophy missing from his managerial collection.

Liverpool left Wembley, trophy in tow, to raucous renditions of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” with the hopes that this will be their turning point and Stoke City still to beat if they wish to return to Anfield South for the FA Cup final.

Next Match:

Liverpool v Arsenal. EPL. Saturday, March 3^rd. 7:45 EST.

Cardiff City v West Ham. Football League Championship. Sunday, March 4^th. 7:45 EST.

written by Yasmien Mizyed