Liverpool left it late, but a 6-5 penalty-shootout win over Stoke City saw Jurgen Klopp‘s side seal their place in the League Cup final.
Liverpool 0-1 Stoke City (1-1 on aggregate, Liverpool win 6-5 on penalties)
League Cup Semi-Final, Second Leg – Anfield – Tuesday 26th January 2016
Goals: Arnautovic 45+1′
After 120 minutes of little quality from either side, Liverpool needed a shootout to advance to the final of this season’s League Cup.
With Marko Arnautovic’s first-half strike cancelling out the Reds’ lead from the first leg, and neither side creating anything in terms of meaningful opportunities throughout both normal and extra time, referee Jonathan Moss called for penalties.
Simon Mignolet saved twice, before Joe Allen’s perfectly placed spot-kick sealed Liverpool the victory
Here’s how Twitter saw Liverpool’s 6-5 penalty shootout win over Stoke.
With Klopp making just two changes to the side that won 5-4 against Norwich City on Saturday, pre-match focus was on a rare start for Jon Flanagan and the endurance of a disappointing Lucas Leiva.
Wow, what a moment for Flanno. Back in the starting line-up and #LFC within 90 minutes of Wembley! Hope he has a great game.
— Andy Kelly (@AndyK_LivNews) January 26, 2016
Great to see Flanagan back too.
— Andrew Beasley (@BassTunedToRed) January 26, 2016
If Allen can't get a start after Lucas' performance on Saturday then he ain't got a hope.
— Floyd (@TheFNundy) January 26, 2016
Have a look at how many games we've won with Lucas in midfield with Hendo and Can, won't take long to count them
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) January 26, 2016
Neither side made a strong impression in the first half an hour, with Liverpool making a slow start despite their high-tempo pressing game.
Very meh so far. Struggling to get Firmino into the game
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 26, 2016
Our pressing & interceptions have been good but we've shown little quality combination play when we do win possession.
— Red (@TaintlessRed) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/692078575760048128
Feels like Liverpool are playing for the draw on the night. Please don't do that, play for the win.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 26, 2016
Liverpool’s best chances came from outside the area, but supporters were not happy when Jordan Henderson attempted a half-volley from near the centre circle.
Can't stand watching Henderson trying to hit 40 yarders like
— Dilan O’Donovan (@Dilan_68195) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Badgerous1/status/692081561597022208
https://twitter.com/asxlfc/status/692081561508974592
Henderson thinks he has Alonso on the back of his shirt
— Wale Maks (@_Donmaks) January 26, 2016
After a disappointing 45 minutes, Stoke finally found their opening, with Arnautovic side-footing home—and though the Potters forward was in an offside position, the linesman’s flagged stayed down.
That's a whole yard offside.
— Colin Spreag (@ColinSpreag) January 26, 2016
Stoke deserve that. Liverpool have been awful.
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/692083022410178560
https://twitter.com/paulxblog/status/692082823075864576
Offside or not, the defence for that is shambolic.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 26, 2016
Klopp called for a “special atmosphere” at Anfield before the game, and he was finally given one after the break.
Volume & intensity levels raised at Anfield. About time
— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) January 26, 2016
Haven't heard Anfield this loud since April 2014.
— Matt (@MAPhillips2010) January 26, 2016
Much more urgency from Liverpool second half, about time. The crowd are feeding off it too, the volume has turned right up.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 26, 2016
With Henderson enduring a torrid night in the centre of Liverpool’s midfield, and clearly lacking match fitness, Klopp brought Christian Benteke on for the captain just before the hour mark.
Henderson doesn't look fully fit yet, still a bit rusty
— Dinesh Kumar (@DHardayal) January 26, 2016
Henderson is 100 per cent not right at the moment. Heel injury clearly a big issue.
— Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/jacklusby_/status/692089942940475393
Hughes responded by sending on Charlie Adam, who won the League Cup with Liverpool back in 2011.
https://twitter.com/jxckhy/status/692093077058666496
Charlie Adam goal incoming, isn't it?
— Angry Bosnian Fan (@AngryBosnianFan) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/FussballRobin/status/692093478944268292
Liverpool had a reasonable penalty call rejected by Moss, who ruled that an Erik Pieters handball was not deliberate.
https://twitter.com/IsaacIKNewman/status/692097058409414657
Concede an offside goal and the referee misses the most blatant handball in the box since Maradona. We're being robbed here.
— Rich Uncle Skeleton (@rchunclskeletn) January 26, 2016
Neither side were able to make the difference as the second half drew to a close, and Moss’ whistle ushered in 30 minutes of extra time, with supporters left disappointed.
https://twitter.com/Fresh_Liverpool/status/692099123093315584
— Jason Roberts (@JaseRoberts_) January 26, 2016
Not a shot on target in 90 minutes.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) January 26, 2016
I hate what we've become. This squad isn't a representation of our club. #LFC
— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) January 26, 2016
The first half of extra time passed by with little quality, and supporters urged Liverpool on.
Come onnnmnnnn you red men
— Jason Mcateer (@MCATEER4) January 26, 2016
Come. On. Liverpool.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 26, 2016
Over 120 minutes of endeavour came to nothing for either side, and it came down to penalties to settle the tie, with Allen’s perfect spot-kick and two saves from Mignolet sealing a 6-5 victory for the Reds.
Yessssssssss
— Patrik Berger (@patrikberger73) January 26, 2016
Wembley!!!!!!!!
— SimonBrundish (@SimonBrundish) January 26, 2016
Mignolet gets a lot of stick and a fair bit of it well deserved but the save from Muniesa was absolutely outstanding.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) January 26, 2016
Was petrified of Mignolet and Benteke in the penalty shoot out. Massive displays from both, delighted to be proved wrong.
— Tom McMahon (@tomjpmac) January 26, 2016
https://twitter.com/jxckhy/status/692112306692558849
That Joe Allen penalty was boss. Give him a new deal, now.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) January 26, 2016
Brilliant! Well done @lfc #wembley well done @SMignolet nerves held YNWA
— Mark Wright (@Mark5Wright) January 26, 2016
No voice. We're going to Wembley. Thank you Joe Allen. Thank you Simon Mignolet. Thank you Jurgen Klopp. Thank you.
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) January 26, 2016
Wembley here we come !!! #YNWA #LFC #Liverpool ?? pic.twitter.com/fztmZQNHGU
— Mamadou Sakho (@mamadousakho) January 26, 2016
Liverpool can now look forward to the League Cup final, to take on one of Manchester City and Everton.
Liverpool have already released their League Cup Final 2016 merchandise range. View it all here.
LIVERPOOL 0-1 STOKE CITY (6-5 ON PENS)
- MATCH REPORT: Heroic Allen nets decisive penalty
- PLAYER RATINGS: Allen and Mignolet both get 7.5
- TALKING POINTS: Anfield raucous, silverware in sight
- PLAYER REACTIONS: “We did it together!”
- KLOPP’S WORDS: All-Merseyside League Cup final “will be great for the whole city”
Fan Comments