Liverpool wins a thirilling Carling Cup final

Liverpool earned a much wanted victory over stubborn Cardiff City to win a seventh League Cup following a dramatic penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium.

After a 2-2 score at the end of extra time the result came in a dramatic penalty shootout which had provided Cardiff the best chance to win the title but Glen Johnson scored the winning penalty for Liverpool to break Cardiff hearts.

Liverpool taking the penalty first, Gerrard missed it as Heaton turned it onto the bar. Cardiff also missed their chance, Miller hitting the post before Liverpool missed it again, Adam striking miles over. Cardiff went into lead with Cowie hitting to the top corner.

Kuyt again provided the break sending the keeper wrong way and Cardiff missed their penalty again before Downing (Liv) and Whittingham (Car) both scored the 4th penalty.

Johnson scored the winning penalty right in the roof of the net while Cardiff's Anthony Gerrard missed it as Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties.

Cardiff City had scored the opener after 19 minutes when McNaughton rolls the ball along the floor to Miller on the 18-yard line and he thread a cute pass to Mason, who's past the last man and nutmegs Reina to open the scoring.

After an hour the equaliser came from Downing's corner that Carroll flicked on to Suárez and Suarez nod it against the post to Skrtel, who smacked it home into the deep Wembley net.

The match then went to amazing extra-time and in the second half of the extra time substitute Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool into lead. Kuyt's fast run leaving tired Cardiff players in his wake enabled him try to find Suarez but it came back off the defender and he steered it in with a difficult and fine finish.

Cardiff City pushed hard in the final minutes of the extra time and after some amazing crosses and an attempt on corner, cleared by Kyut on the goal line, they finally got the break on a corner. Liverpool scrambled the ball away after Reina's misjudgment as Turner overpowered Kuyt at the far post and hooked it in past Reina.