Match Report 070501 vs Chelsea: When Carragher cramps, we win the penalty shoot-out

1-0 and we won the penalty shoot-out 4-1! Reina is absolutely class in saving penalties. He is going to be a legend.

The match itself was actually very poor. Both teams just tried to pass the ball to the strikers as quick as possible. Rafa surprised everybody by putting Alonso on the bench and started Zenden. At the end it worked and Zenden also scored a beautiful penalty. Agger answered some of the critics by having a good defensive performance and also scored a well practiced goal. On the other hand, it is sad to see Dudek not even on the bench, after his poor performance over the weekend. His days in a Liverpool jersey is now finally over. But we will never forget his heroic performance that night two years ago.

Players Rating:
Reina: 10 Perfect performance. Master of penalty saves.
Finnan: 7.5 Provided the much needed balance to the team.
Carragher: 8 All over the pitch for defending.
Agger: 8 Answered the critics by scoring the goal. Did well in defending too.
Riise: 7 Did well both attacking and defending.
Pennant: 7.5 Very lively performance and provided many dangerous crossings.
Gerrard: 8 Did well in lifting the team.
Mascherano: 8.5 Would be my MoM in normal plus extra time. He's everywhere trying to help the defense.
Zenden: 7 Somehow it worked. And he repaid Rafa's faith with a nice penalty.
Kuyt: 7.5 Tried very hard but he can only managed to hit the bar and another one marginally ruled offside. But he had the last laugh with that last penalty.
Crouch: 6.5 Was not too effective.

Substitutions:
Alonso: 6.5 A nice display.
Bellamy: 6 Not much impact.
Fowler: 6.5 Almost provided the winning pass to Kuyt. And it is really nice to see Rafa putting his faith and let him be the last penalty shooter.

Rafa: 9 Perfect game plan. Don't know why he start Zenden, but it worked.

Chelsea: 6 No matter what Mourinho said, they just didn't play very well. No excuse. The best team won.

Man of the Match: Reina. Single-handly guided us to the Final over two legs.