Liverpool reach final after shootout win

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27 Jan 2016

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Anfield

Liverpool won a penalty shootout against Stoke City at Anfield to reach the Capital One Cup final as manager Jurgen Klopp ensured his first season in charge will bring a trip to Wembley.

Marko Arnautovic scored for Stoke to claw back Liverpool's one-goal advantage from the first leg - but it was agony for Mark Hughes' side when it came to spot-kicks.

Much-criticised Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was Liverpool's hero with saves from Peter Crouch and Marc Muniesa, allowing substitute Joe Allen to step forward to secure a meeting with either Manchester City or neighbours Everton at Wembley on 28 February.

A tight encounter was sent to penalties by Arnautovic's goal, seemingly scored from an offside position, in first-half stoppage time.

Jon Walters, Glenn Whelan, Ibrahim Affelay, Xherdan Shaqiri and Marco van Ginkel were all on target for Stoke, while Adam Lallana, Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Lucas were successful for Liverpool - before Allen settled matters to send Anfield wild in celebration.

I didn't watch the shootout - Klopp
Listen to the penalty drama unfold on BSports Radio 5 live
Players chant during Allen's radio interview
Listen: A lack of desire is costing Liverpool - Gillespie
Football Daily podcast: 'Lucky' Liverpool reach Wembley

Klopp eyes early glory

Jurgen Klopp: "Wembley is a cool place to play football"

Jurgen Klopp has endured mixed fortunes since his appointment as Liverpool manager in early October - but now he has the chance to smooth an inevitable period of transition with success.

Some may not regard the League Cup as the biggest domestic prize, but it gives the charismatic German the opportunity to cement his reputation with silverware and also give the Reds their first trophy since they won this competition under Kenny Dalglish against Cardiff City in 2012.

He would also be following the example of Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City, who each won this trophy during their first season as a manager in England.

Klopp is no stranger to Wembley having led Borussia Dortmund to Champions League final at the stadium in 2013, though they were defeated by Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich.

Villain Mignolet turns hero

Simon Mignolet made saves from Peter Crouch and Marc Muniesa

Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet has often been the villain of the piece in a season of uncertain form - but here he was the hero with vital penalty saves from Crouch and Muniesa.

The Belgian's Achilles heel is his decision-making, and there were some raised eyebrows when he was given a new five-year contract earlier this month.

Mignolet rewarded the faith of Klopp, who has been steadfast in his support of the keeper, with the most significant interventions here and will hope to build on this dramatic revival of his fortunes.

Stoke so near yet so far

Stoke players react to Joe Allen scoring the winning penalty

A banner fluttering in the Anfield Road End among the massed ranks of Stoke fans called on their players to summon "The Spirit Of 72" - when they secured their first and last major trophy with a League Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley.

And for spells after Arnautovic's goal, it looked like they would get the chance to join the ranks of heroes such as Gordon Banks and George Eastham as they took the fight to Liverpool with this semi-final second leg delicately poised.

Hughes must have been almost as exhausted as his players at the painful conclusion, contesting every decision and urging his men on for 120 minutes.

Sadly for the Potters and their thousands of fans, it was not to be - but the mature performance they gave in winning at Anfield, their first victory here since 1959, was another indicator of their growing maturity despite the disappointment of defeat.

Man of the match - Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool)

The Liverpool defender (left) put in some great blocks in his own area and quelled the aerial threat of striker Peter Crouch

What the managers said

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp:

"It was great, the atmosphere was special. It was a good game for my side against a difficult side to play.

"They changed their style today. It was keeper Jack Butland to Peter Crouch so it was difficult to defend. We had a few problems, but they didn't have too many opportunities.

"Their goal was double offside but, in the end, we had luck in the penalty shootout. Over the whole 120 minutes, the players, crowd and Liverpool deserved it.

"Wembley is a cool place to play football... but we go there to win. It's not much fun to lose."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes:

"I thought we were by far the better team. We were behind in the tie and I'm proud of what the players produced.

"Nobody gave us a chance - why they would do that I don't know. We've proved for a couple of years that we're a good team. I think Liverpool were delighted to go to penalties and then it's a lottery.

"We got a win on paper - goodness knows how long it's been since we won here - but the objective was to get to a Wembley final which we didn't."

The stats you need to know

In eight previous League Cup semi-final first-leg victories, only once have Liverpool not progressed to the final.
Stoke have played Liverpool seven times in the League Cup, drawing one and losing six.
Before Tuesday, Liverpool had never lost a League Cup semi-final leg at Anfield.

How the penalties unfolded

Jon Walters (Stoke) scores 0-1

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) scores 1-1

Peter Crouch (Stoke) saved 1-1

Emre Can (Liverpool) hits post 1-1

Glenn Whelan (Stoke) scores 1-2

Christian Benteke (Liverpool) scores 2-2

Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke) scores 2-3

Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) scores 3-3

Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke) scores 3-4

James Milner (Liverpool) scores 4-4

Marco van Ginkel (Stoke) scores 4-5

Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) scores 5-5

Marc Muniesa (Stoke) saved 5-5

Joe Allen (Liverpool) scores 6-5

What next?

Liverpool host West Ham in the FA Cup at home on Saturday, and Stoke are away at Crystal Palace in the same competition.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Liverpool

22 Mignolet
38 Flanagan Booked (Ibe - 105' )
04 K Touré (Allen - 85' Booked )
17 Sakho
18 Moreno
14 Henderson (Benteke - 58' )
21 Lucas
23 Can
07 Milner
11 Firmino
20 Lallana

Substitutes

06 Lovren
09 Benteke
24 Allen
33 Ibe
44 Smith
52 Ward
53 J. Teixeira

Stoke City

01 Butland
08 Johnson
26 Wollscheid
05 Muniesa Booked
03 Pieters
06 Whelan
14 Afellay
19 Walters
27 Krkic (Adam - 71' )
10 Arnautovic (Van Ginkel - 78' )
25 Crouch

Substitutes

02 Bardsley
11 Joselu
12 Wilson
15 Van Ginkel
16 Adam (Van Ginkel - 98' )
22 Shaqiri
29 Haugaard

Ref: Jonathan Moss

Att: 43,091

Match Stats

Possession 56 44

Shots

12 15

On target

2 2

Corners

8 6

Fouls

19 19

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Liverpool 0(6), Stoke City 1(5).

120:00 +8:13

Penalty Shootout ends, Liverpool 0(6), Stoke City 1(5).

120:00 +7:58 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(6), Stoke City 1(5). Joe Allen (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

120:00 +7:16

Penalty saved! Marc Muniesa (Stoke City) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.

120:00 +6:34 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(5), Stoke City 1(5). Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

120:00 +5:57 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(4), Stoke City 1(5). Marco Van Ginkel (Stoke City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

120:00 +5:28 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(4), Stoke City 1(4). James Milner (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

120:00 +4:58 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(3), Stoke City 1(4). Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) converts the penalty with a left footed shot to the bottom left corner.

120:00 +4:25 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(3), Stoke City 1(3). Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

120:00 +3:50 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(2), Stoke City 1(3). Ibrahim Afellay (Stoke City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top left corner.

120:00 +3:22 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(2), Stoke City 1(2). Christian Benteke (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.

120:00 +2:43 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(1), Stoke City 1(2). Glenn Whelan (Stoke City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.

120:00 +2:02

Penalty missed! Still Liverpool 0(1), Stoke City 1(1). Emre Can (Liverpool) hits the left post with a right footed shot.

120:00 +1:25

Penalty saved! Peter Crouch (Stoke City) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.

120:00 +0:51 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0(1), Stoke City 1(1). Adam Lallana (Liverpool) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

120:00 +0:19 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Liverpool 0, Stoke City 1(1). Jonathan Walters (Stoke City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the top right corner.

120:00 Penalty shootout

Penalty Shootout begins Liverpool 0, Stoke City 1.

120:00 +0:32

Second Half Extra Time ends, Liverpool 0, Stoke City 1.