The Carling Cup has been known by many different names over its 52-year existence due to a variety of sponsors, but it originally started out as the League Cup. This is Liverpool’s eighth League Cup win which sets a new English record. Cardiff was trying to become the first Welsh team in history to win the trophy. Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said it might not have been the prettiest victory, but the club and its fans will celebrate it all the same.
Cardiff, which plays in the country’s second-tier league and hasn't won a major trophy in 85 years, took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute on a goal by Joe Mason. Liverpool had the better chances and finally found the back of the net in the 60th minute when defender Martin Skrtel tied the game 1-1. The game stayed that way until the 90 minutes were up and then headed into 30 minutes of extra time.
Liverpool took the lead in the 108th minute when Dutch international Dirk Kuyt scored on his own rebound. It looked like the game would end 2-1 for Liverpool, but defender Ben Turner nudged the ball over the goal line for Cardiff from a corner kick with just two minutes left in the contest. This set up the dramatic shootout.
Liverpool’s first penalty kick, taken by captain Steven Gerrard, was saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton. Cardiff’s Kenny Miller hit the post with his shot before Charlie Adam of Liverpool sent his flying over the crossbar. Cardiff took the lead when Don Cowie became the first player to score. Kuyt put Liverpool ahead on and they held the lead after three shots each when Rudy Gestede hit the post. Stewart Downing and Glen Johnson then scored for Liverpool with Peter Whittingham converting for Cardiff. The doe-or-die penalty shot came down to Cardiff’s Anthony Gerrard, the cousin of Liverpool’s captain Steven, and he shot wide.
With the win, Dalglish becomes just the third manager to win the League Cup, FA Cup and the English League title. Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho are the two others who have achieved the feat. Dalglish also has a shot at winning another FA Cup this May since Liverpool is still in the competition.
For Cardiff, it was their fourth visit to Wembley in the last five years in various competitions and their fourth defeat. Manager Malky Mackay said he was proud of his team and the way they came back against one of England’s top clubs and hopes they’ll be able to return to Wembley again next season.
Written by Ian Palmer via FeedCrossing
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