Intro:

Liverpool ended a six-year wait for a trophy by beating Cardiff City 3-2 on penalties in the final of the Carling Cup on Sunday.

Script:

Cardiff City and Liverpool were at Wembley Stadium on Sunday to battle it out for the first piece of silverware of the season, the Carling Cup.

Premier League Liverpool were the red hot favourites to win their first trophy in six years and nearly made the perfect start when Glen Johnson hit the crossbar after two minutes.

Having soaked up plenty of Liverpool pressure Cardiff then hit the Reds on the counter-attack, Kenny Miller playing in Joe Mason to send the Bluebirds barmy in the 19th minute.

Liverpool were creating plenty of chances and deservedly got back on level terms after half-time when Martin Skrtel pounced from a corner after Luis Suarez's header had hit the post.

The Reds pushed hard for a winner in normal time but it was Cardiff who wasted the best chance, Miller blazing over from close range.

With the game heading towards penalties substitute Dirk Kuyt popped up with what looked like the winning goal two minutes into the second period of extra-time.

However, the Bluebirds weren't going to lie down and accept their fate, Ben Turner poking the ball home with two minutes left to send this epic final to penalties.

After two misses apiece by either side Johnson converted the Reds fifth spot kick to put the pressure on Cardiff.

The pressure was too much for Anthony Gerrard - cousin of Liverpool's Steven - and his miss handed the Reds the win.

Steven Gerrard collected the trophy to end Liverpool's long wait for silverware.