26 February 2012

Liverpool ended a six-year wait for silverware with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final at Wembley.

After the game had finished 2-2 following extra-time, the Reds prevailed 3-2 on penalties with Anthony Gerrard missing the decisive kick for the Welsh side.

It meant Kenny Dalglish led Liverpool to a trophy in his first full season back at the helm on the club's first ever visit to the new Wembley.

Joe Mason had given the Bluebirds a 19th minute lead against the run of play when he crept into space inside the box and struck through the legs of Pepe Reina.

Liverpool controlled the contest, but had to wait until the hour mark to equalise when Martin Skrtel pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire home after Luis Suarez's header had hit the post.

With no further goals in the 90 minutes, the teams contested half an hour of extra-time - and Dirk Kuyt fired the Reds into the lead when he found the net at the second attempt from the edge of the box on 108 minutes.

However, Ben Turner netted from a goal-mouth scramble following a Cardiff corner at the death to force penalties.

But it was to be Dalglish and co celebrating at the national stadium as his team lifted their first trophy since 2006.