Liverpool went into half-time 1-0 down after a goal from Joe Mason, Kenny Miller sent a ball through the Liverpool defence into the path of Mason who slotted the ball past Pepe Reina to give the Welsh side the lead. Liverpool had plenty of chances to get the equaliser in the first half, Daniel Agger headed the ball right at the goalkeeper from a corner in what was probably the best chance of the half for the Reds. There was also chances for Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard to level the score but their shots where wide of the goal.
An unlikely scorer in Martin Skrtel gave Liverpool the equaliser in the 60th minute after a corner was sent in from Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll headed the ball towards goal and Luis Suarez helped it on but it hit the post and came back out and after a scuffle in the area it landed at the feet of Skrtel who placed it into the back of the net.
It ended 1-1 after the 90 minutes meaning that extra-time was to be played. There was plenty of chances for either side to take the lead in the first half of extra time but the breakthrough came from substitute Dirk Kuyt in the 108th minute after his first shot was cleared by the defender, it came back to Kuyt on the edge of the area and he hit it first time into the back of the net.
What was looking to be a great end to a final for Liverpool was ruined by Cardiff as they sent a corner flying in, it went over everyone’s heads and was blocked on the line by Kuyt but Ben Turner was the first to react and managed to knock the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-2 after extra-time.
This meant penalties, Liverpool where up first and Steven Gerrard went forward and fans couldn’t have asked for a better player to take the first penalty but unfortunately the skipper’s shot was knocked onto the bar by Heaton. Miller was up next but his shot bounced off the post and Charlie Adam sent Liverpool’s next penalty right into row Z. Don Cowie scored the first penalty of the evening for Cardiff, Kuyt then levelled the score from 12 yards and Rudy Gestede’s penalty hit the post for the third time during the shoot-out, Stewart Downing converted his penalty for the Reds, Peter Whittingham scored his penalty as well as Reds right back Glen Johnson, leaving Anthony Gerrard, the younger cousin of Steven Gerrard, with the next penalty for the Welsh side, his shot went just wide of the post meaning Liverpool where the winners and taking the trophy back home to Merseyside.
That was the last trophy the Reds won, we came close in 2016 after reaching the League cup and Europa League Final but unfortunately came second in both. It’s time the Reds start challenging for more silverware, we are still in the running for the Champions League and I would love to win it but there is a lot of good competition still in the tournament. With the team we have now I think next season is a good opportunity to add to the trophy cabinet and if we strengthen the squad a bit more in the summer and keep hold of players like Firmino, Salah and Mane then I think we can challenge in all competitions next season.
Article by Lauren Black
@LaurenBlack9
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