Liverpool are the first team to progress to this season's European Champions League final after beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties at Anfield this morning. All four Liverpool penalties were successful while Pepe Reina saved attempts from Chelsea's Arjen Robben and Geremi to send Liverpool through to the final in Athens on May 24 (Australian time) against either Manchester United or AC Milan.Reina, who had also been the hero in Liverpool's shoot-out victory over West Ham in last season's FA Cup final saving three of the four penalties, was typically modest. "It was an important win. We've reached the last step and now we must climb it," he said.
The second leg of the semi-final ended 1-0 after extra time with the only goal coming after 22 minutes following a cleverly-taken free kick from Steven Gerrard. He sent a hard, low cross towards the edge of the Chelsea penalty area rather than an expected high ball to the centre of it.
Daniel Agger played his part perfectly, sweeping in a well-struck shot that swerved just inside the post and into the Chelsea net out of the reach of goalkeeper Peter Cech. For Gerrard, it was a nice way to respond to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's remarks that Liverpool were a "little" side. "Jose Mourinho has been a credit to English football," Gerrard said.
"However he makes us laugh some times. It was a bit disrespectful to call us a little club, yeah a little club that has reached two European Cup finals in three years." Chances were few and far between for both sides with Peter Crouch seeing a header saved by Cech's feet on the line after 55 minutes and Dirk Kuyt heading against the Chelsea bar after 59 minutes.
At the other end Didier Drogba drew a fine save from Reina after 32 minutes. Kuyt had a second goal ruled out for offside in extra time, but scored the final penalty to give Liverpool their 4-1 winning margin.
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Reuters/AFP
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