By Chris Bevan BBC Sport at Wembley

Kenny Dalglish won the first silverware of his second spell as Liverpool manager after his side came through a compelling Carling Cup final to beat Cardiff City on penalties.

Anthony Gerrard missed the final kick of a dramatic penalty shoot-out to hand victory to the Merseysiders - their first trophy since the 2006 FA Cup - but it was a cruel way for the Welsh side to be beaten.

  • Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) -missed 0-0
  • Kenny Miller (Cardiff) - missed 0-0
  • Charlie Adam (Liverpool) - missed 0-0
  • Don Cowie (Cardiff) - scored 0-1
  • Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) - scored 1-1
  • Rudy Gestede (Cardiff) - missed 1-1
  • Stuart Downing (Liverpool) - scored 2-1
  • Peter Whittingham (Cardiff) - scored 2-2
  • Glen Johnson (Liverpool) - scored 3-2
  • Anthony Gerrard (Cardiff) - missed 3-2

The Championship outfit took a surprise first-half lead through Joe Mason and defended valiantly, even after Martin Skrtel had levelled on the hour mark.

Dirk Kuyt thought he had won it for Liverpool with an instinctive extra-time finish, but Ben Turner bundled home at the death to force penalties.

Even then, Liverpool seemed determined to do things the hard way, with Steven Gerrard - Anthony's cousin - having his effort brilliantly saved by Tom Heaton, before Charlie Adam blasted over.

After Kenny Miller hit the post, Don Cowie sent Pepe Reina the wrong way to give the Bluebirds the advantage after two spot-kicks apiece.

But, while Kuyt, Stewart Downing and Glen Johnson all found the net, Cardiff missed two of their next three penalties, with Rudy Gestede also hitting the woodwork before Anthony Gerrard's miss proved decisive in handing Liverpool their eighth League Cup.

It means that, 13 months after he returned to the Anfield hotseat, Dalglish becomes only the seventh manager to win all three major competitions in England.

Liverpool celebrate penalty shoot-out victory

This triumph was one of the closest of his managerial career - and almost ruined their first visit to Wembley for 16 years.

Liverpool certainly started confidently enough, when Johnson hit the woodwork from their first attack.

After Steven Gerrard surged out of his own half, Johnson bent in a shot which beat Heaton but came back off the underside of the bar, with Gerrard firing the follow-up over.

Cardiff were being pegged back and, with Downing and Jordan Henderson seeing plenty of the ball, Liverpool aimed a succession of crosses towards Andy Carroll.

But, as has so often been the case this season, there was no end product to their attacks, and Cardiff began to find a foothold in the game.

The Bluebirds had already threatened through Miller, who ended a neat passing move by swivelling to blast over from the edge of the box, when Mason put them ahead in the 18th minute.

A poor defensive header by Skrtel was picked up by Kevin McNaughton and, from his pass, Miller set Mason free to power his low shot under the onrushing Reina.

Liverpool's League Cup wins

  • 1981 - Beat West Ham 2-1
  • 1982 - Beat Tottenham 3-1
  • 1983 - Beat Manchester United 2-1
  • 1984 - Beat Everton 1-0
  • 1995 - Beat Bolton 2-1
  • 2001 - Beat Birmingham 5-4 on penalties
  • 2003 - Beat Manchester United 2-0
  • 2012 - Beat Cardiff 3-2 on penalties

Even finding themselves trailing unexpectedly did nothing to improve Liverpool's productivity in the final third, however, and Cardiff's defence - expertly marshalled by Mark Hudson - largely kept them at bay.

Frustration was visibly growing among the Liverpool fans, and the biggest surprise when Craig Bellamy came off the bench just before the hour mark was that it had taken Dalglish so long to bring him on.

An equaliser followed almost immediately, although the Welshman had nothing to do with it.

From Downing's corner, Luis Suarez glanced Carroll's header on to the post and Skrtel was first to the rebound, taking a touch before driving the ball between Heaton's legs.

Liverpool continued to drive forward but Cardiff were not about to crumble and had the better chances at the end of the 90 minutes.

Cardiff's exertions began to catch up with them in extra time, with Hudson being forced off by cramp and Liverpool enjoying a flurry of chances.

Heaton tipped Suarez's shot wide and Andrew Taylor had to clear the Uruguayan's header off the line from the resulting corner, while Carroll, Bellamy and Johnson were all narrowly off target with their efforts.

In the 108th minute, Cardiff finally cracked. Kuyt's shot was blocked by Anthony Gerrard, Hudson's replacement, but the ball came back to the Dutchman, who powered the ball past Heaton to put his side ahead.

But that was not the end of a thrilling tale. Kuyt was on hand to clear off the line as Cardiff pushed forward with one last effort and, from the resulting corner, he could not stop Turner bundling the ball home to take the game to penalties.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (6)

Cardiff City

  • 22 Heaton
  • 02 McNaughton (Blake - 106' )
  • 03 Taylor
  • 05 Hudson (Gerrard - 99' )
  • 25 Turner Booked
  • 07 Whittingham
  • 08 Cowie
  • 17 Gunnarsson
  • 09 Miller
  • 15 Gestede
  • 20 Mason (Kiss - 91' Booked )

Substitutes

  • 01 Marshall
  • 06 Gerrard
  • 18 Naylor
  • 04 Kiss
  • 11 Conway
  • 23 Blake
  • 10 Earnshaw

Liverpool

  • 25 Reina
  • 02 Johnson
  • 03 Jose Enrique
  • 05 Agger (Carragher - 86' )
  • 37 Skrtel
  • 08 Gerrard
  • 14 Henderson Booked (Bellamy - 58' )
  • 19 Downing
  • 26 Adam
  • 07 Suarez
  • 09 Carroll (Kuyt - 103' )

Substitutes

  • 32 Doni
  • 23 Carragher
  • 34 Kelly
  • 11 Maxi
  • 20 Spearing
  • 18 Kuyt
  • 39 Bellamy
Ref: Clattenburg
Att: 89,044

Match Stats

Shots

11 39

On target

7 19

Corners

3 19

Fouls

11 14

Live Text Commentary

124:46

Penalty missed by Anthony Gerrard.

124:13 Penalty

Penalty scored by Glen Johnson. Cardiff 2-3 Liverpool on penalties.

123:45 Penalty

Penalty scored by Peter Whittingham. Cardiff 2-2 Liverpool on penalties.

123:23 Penalty

Stewart Downing scores a penalty. Cardiff 1-2 Liverpool on penalties.

122:45

Spot kick missed by Rudy Gestede.

122:15 Penalty

Dirk Kuyt scores a penalty. Cardiff 1-1 Liverpool on penalties.

121:47 Penalty

Penalty scored by Don Cowie. Cardiff 1-0 Liverpool on penalties.

121:14

Spot kick missed by Charlie Adam.

120:25

Penalty missed by Kenny Miller.

120:02

Power penalty taken by Steven Gerrard saved by Tom Heaton.

120:01

The first player steps forward to start the penalty shoot-out.

117:25

Assist by Aron Gunnarsson.

116:38

Corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham from the right by-line to the near post, Filip Kiss takes a shot. Clearance by Dirk Kuyt. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line,

120:00 +1:22

The match goes to a penalty shoot-out.

120:00 +0:38

Glen Johnson sends in a cross, Aron Gunnarsson manages to make a clearance.

119:49

Corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy from the left by-line to the near post, Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Blocked by Ben Turner.

119:10

Stewart Downing takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Anthony Gerrard manages to make a clearance.

118:01 Booking

Booking Ben Turner is booked.

117:25

Assist on the goal came from Aron Gunnarsson.

117:25 Goal scored

Goal - Ben Turner - Cardiff 2 - 2 Liverpool Ben Turner fires in a goal from close in to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cardiff 2-2 Liverpool.

116:38

Corner taken by Peter Whittingham played to the near post, Filip Kiss takes a shot. Dirk Kuyt manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Peter Whittingham from the left by-line,

115:49

Corner taken by Don Cowie from the left by-line, save made by Jose Reina.

115:25

The ball is delivered by Peter Whittingham, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.

112:09

A cross is delivered by Don Cowie, clearance made by Sanchez Jose Enrique.

111:24

Ben Turner produces a cross, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.

110:55

The referee blows for offside against Luis Suarez. Tom Heaton takes the indirect free kick.

107:24 Goal scored

Goal - Dirk Kuyt - Cardiff 1 - 2 Liverpool Dirk Kuyt finds the net with a goal from the edge of the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Cardiff 1-2 Liverpool.

107:19

The ball is delivered by Dirk Kuyt, clearance by Anthony Gerrard.

106:38

Centre by Dirk Kuyt, Anthony Gerrard manages to make a clearance.

105:32 Substitution

Substitution Kevin McNaughton leaves the field to be replaced by Darcy Blake.

105:22

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, clearance by Ben Turner.

105:01

The second half of extra time begins.

105:00 +0:34

Glen Johnson has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

103:56

Craig Bellamy produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

102:17 Substitution

Substitution (Liverpool) makes a substitution, with Dirk Kuyt coming on for Andy Carroll.

101:37

Centre by Steven Gerrard, clearance by Andrew Taylor. Stewart Downing takes the inswinging corner, Header by Andy Carroll from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

100:33

The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing.

99:37

Shot by Stewart Downing from outside the box goes high over the target.

97:41

Jose Reina takes the free kick.

97:41 Substitution

Substitution Anthony Gerrard comes on in place of Mark Hudson.

97:41 Booking

Booking Filip Kiss booked.

97:38

Craig Bellamy fouled by Filip Kiss, the ref awards a free kick.

97:18

Filip Kiss takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.

96:48

The ball is delivered by Sanchez Jose Enrique, Tom Heaton makes a save.

95:59

Unfair challenge on Kevin McNaughton by Craig Bellamy results in a free kick. Peter Whittingham crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, Jose Reina makes a save.

94:48

The ball is swung over by Kenny Miller, clearance made by Glen Johnson.

93:45

Mark Hudson challenges Luis Suarez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Steven Gerrard delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left channel. Luis Suarez is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

93:12

The ball is sent over by Andrew Taylor, clearance by Martin Skrtel.

91:26

Stewart Downing produces a cross, Andrew Taylor makes a clearance. Corner taken short by Craig Bellamy, Steven Gerrard has an effort at goal from outside the area missing to the wide right of the goal.

90:27

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton. Corner taken right-footed by Craig Bellamy, Luis Suarez takes a shot. Andrew Taylor manages to make a clearance.

90:01 Substitution

Substitution Joe Mason leaves the field to be replaced by Filip Kiss.

90:00 +4:33

The match has reached the end of normal time.

90:00 +1:33

Effort on goal by Steven Gerrard from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

90:00 +1:15

Stewart Downing decides to take the corner short.

90:00 +0:18

Effort from deep inside the area by Luis Suarez misses to the left of the target.

89:34

Foul by Jamie Carragher on Rudy Gestede, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Andrew Taylor.

89:18

Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Blocked by Ben Turner.

89:09

A cross is delivered by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Andrew Taylor.

87:26

Kenny Miller produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

87:02

Steven Gerrard gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rudy Gestede. Free kick taken by Peter Whittingham.

85:39

Corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Luis Suarez misses to the left of the goal.

85:39 Substitution

Substitution Jamie Carragher is brought on as a substitute for Daniel Agger.

85:39

Centre by Glen Johnson, Ben Turner manages to make a clearance.

84:56

Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.

84:37

Centre by Kenny Miller, Jose Reina makes a save.

82:51

A cross is delivered by Don Cowie, Close range headed effort by Ben Turner misses to the right of the target.

81:38

The ball is crossed by Steven Gerrard, clearance by Kevin McNaughton. Glen Johnson produces a left-footed shot from outside the box and misses left.

81:03

The ball is swung over by Luis Suarez, Andrew Taylor makes a clearance. Corner from the right by-line taken by Charlie Adam, Kenny Miller manages to make a clearance.

80:24

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Agger by Ben Turner. Jose Reina takes the free kick.

79:01

Stewart Downing concedes a free kick for a foul on Kenny Miller. Peter Whittingham fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

78:49

A cross is delivered by Kevin McNaughton, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.

77:36

Stewart Downing takes a shot. Save made by Tom Heaton. The official flags Luis Suarez offside. Free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

75:49

Craig Bellamy delivers the ball, clearance made by Kevin McNaughton.

74:18

Craig Bellamy produces a cross, Andy Carroll produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

72:57

The ball is swung over by Glen Johnson, Ben Turner manages to make a clearance. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam, Martin Skrtel takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.

67:49

Corner taken left-footed by Stewart Downing, clearance by Ben Turner.

67:42

Centre by Stewart Downing, blocked by Andrew Taylor.

67:00

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Mark Hudson makes a clearance.

65:59

Daniel Agger takes a shot. Blocked by Andy Carroll.

65:26

Corner taken by Stewart Downing, Ben Turner makes a clearance.

64:21

Joe Mason takes a shot. Save made by Jose Reina.

63:46

Luis Suarez is caught offside. Tom Heaton takes the free kick.

62:09

Centre by Don Cowie, save made by Jose Reina.

59:32

Luis Suarez provided the assist for the goal.

59:32 Goal scored

Goal - Martin Skrtel - Cardiff 1 - 1 Liverpool Martin Skrtel fires in a goal from close in low into the middle of the goal. Cardiff 1-1 Liverpool.

59:09

Corner from the right by-line taken by Stewart Downing, Header from close range by Luis Suarez strikes the post.

58:25

Peter Whittingham delivers the ball.

57:52

The ball is crossed by Don Cowie, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.

57:04

Kevin McNaughton restarts play with the free kick.

57:04 Substitution

Substitution Craig Bellamy joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jordan Henderson.

57:04

Joe Mason fouled by Sanchez Jose Enrique, the ref awards a free kick.

56:38

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Tom Heaton makes a save.

56:10

Stewart Downing takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Mark Hudson.

55:34

Luis Suarez is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

53:41

Unfair challenge on Andy Carroll by Ben Turner results in a free kick. Glen Johnson takes the free kick.

51:52

Free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

51:52 Booking

Booking Booking for Jordan Henderson.

51:49

Jordan Henderson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Joe Mason.

51:18

Effort from 30 yards by Charlie Adam. Ben Turner gets a block in. Charlie Adam takes a short corner, Steven Gerrard produces a cross, Ben Turner manages to make a clearance.

50:57

Stewart Downing delivers the ball, clearance by Ben Turner.

50:00

Andy Carroll fouled by Ben Turner, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Charlie Adam from right wing, clearance by Ben Turner. Corner taken by Charlie Adam played to the near post, Don Cowie makes a clearance.

49:31

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.

48:07

Kenny Miller produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.

47:26

Foul by Charlie Adam on Joe Mason, free kick awarded. Mark Hudson takes the direct free kick.

46:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kenny Miller on Sanchez Jose Enrique. Steven Gerrard crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, Peter Whittingham makes a clearance. Jordan Henderson has an effort at goal from outside the box missing to the wide left of the goal.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +1:13 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

45:00 +0:30

A cross is delivered by Joe Mason, save by Jose Reina.

45:00 +0:08

Unfair challenge on Daniel Agger by Kenny Miller results in a free kick. Martin Skrtel takes the direct free kick.

44:15

Steven Gerrard takes a shot. Andrew Taylor gets a block in. Shot from deep inside the area by Steven Gerrard clears the crossbar.

42:43

Charlie Adam fouled by Aron Gunnarsson, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is sent over by Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger takes a shot. Tom Heaton makes a save.

41:54

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Save by Tom Heaton.

40:51

Unfair challenge on Martin Skrtel by Rudy Gestede results in a free kick. Martin Skrtel restarts play with the free kick.

39:20

Sanchez Jose Enrique gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kenny Miller. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Peter Whittingham, save by Jose Reina.

38:32

A cross is delivered by Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the crossbar.

34:51

The ball is swung over by Stewart Downing, Mark Hudson manages to make a clearance. Unfair challenge on Joe Mason by Martin Skrtel results in a free kick. Tom Heaton restarts play with the free kick.

34:10

Corner from the left by-line taken by Steven Gerrard, save by Tom Heaton.

34:03

A cross is delivered by Charlie Adam, clearance made by Mark Hudson.

33:56

The ball is crossed by Glen Johnson, Kevin McNaughton manages to make a clearance.

33:04

Unfair challenge on Rudy Gestede by Martin Skrtel results in a free kick. Ben Turner restarts play with the free kick.

31:25

Effort from outside the area by Charlie Adam goes wide right of the goal.

30:04

Effort from outside the penalty box by Sanchez Jose Enrique goes wide right of the goal.

27:57

Stewart Downing sends in a cross, clearance made by Don Cowie.

27:34

Daniel Agger fouled by Rudy Gestede, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Daniel Agger.

26:37

Peter Whittingham takes a shot. Blocked by Martin Skrtel.

25:11

Glen Johnson challenges Andrew Taylor unfairly and gives away a free kick. Tom Heaton restarts play with the free kick.

23:45

Shot by Andy Carroll from outside the box goes high over the crossbar.

23:22

Peter Whittingham is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Charlie Adam.

22:12

Centre by Stewart Downing, Don Cowie manages to make a clearance.

21:49

Daniel Agger takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Mark Hudson gets a block in.

18:32

Assist by Kenny Miller.

18:32 Goal scored

Goal - Joe Mason - Cardiff 1 - 0 Liverpool Joe Mason gets on the score sheet with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Cardiff 1-0 Liverpool.

18:21

Kevin McNaughton delivers the ball, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.

17:51

Luis Suarez produces a cross, Andy Carroll takes a shot. Save made by Tom Heaton.

14:49

Charlie Adam sends in a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Andy Carroll misses to the right of the target.

11:51

Centre by Steven Gerrard, clearance made by Kevin McNaughton. Stewart Downing takes the outswinging corner, Unfair challenge on Ben Turner by Andy Carroll results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Tom Heaton.

11:05

Charlie Adam concedes a free kick for a foul on Aron Gunnarsson. Tom Heaton restarts play with the free kick.

10:54

Luis Suarez takes a shot. Blocked by Mark Hudson.

10:03

Shot from deep inside the area by Kenny Miller clears the bar.

8:40

Stewart Downing takes a shot. Kevin McNaughton gets a block in.

8:19

Foul by Ben Turner on Luis Suarez, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Charlie Adam.

5:49

The ball is sent over by Stewart Downing, clearance made by Mark Hudson. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard played to the near post, Mark Hudson makes a clearance. Corner from the right by-line taken by Charlie Adam, save by Tom Heaton.

4:50

The ball is swung over by Jordan Henderson, Unfair challenge on Mark Hudson by Andy Carroll results in a free kick. Tom Heaton takes the direct free kick.

1:33

Effort from 20 yards by Glen Johnson. Steven Gerrard produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

1:03

Andrew Taylor sends in a cross, Jordan Henderson manages to make a clearance.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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