The League Cup Final Match of the Day Live

This place used to be Liverpool's second home. But it has changed a

bit in 16 years. The Reds last tasted Cup success in Wales, in the

City of... Cardiff. And as for Cardiff. They may be

underdogs today, but favourites do fall in this final.

So who will be flying highest? The blue boards -- the Bluebirds all

It has already been a very successful weekend for Wales. A

victory over England in the Six Nations and a win as well for

Nathan cleverly, who retained his WBO light-heavyweight title last

night. Could it be a memorable hat- trick at Wembley this afternoon?

Liverpool remain firm favourites and will be desperate to get their

hands on some silverware for the first time in six years. It should

be an exciting afternoon here at Wembley.

Here with us are Alan Hansen, Alan Shearer and Chris Coleman. It is

all set up, one of those giant killers... It David against Goliath.

This is a special place, it is a special occasion. There are not

many times since I retired that I wished I was still playing but you

look at the pitch here and you look at the weather and this is one of

them. The fans wouldn't agree with that, to be perfectly frank. You're

in no condition any more! Chris, it is a big day and it signifiers this

resurgence in Welsh football. We have seen swans take playing so

well the top flight, Cardiff have been here four times in the last

years -- Swansea. Yes, Cardiff have been unlucky here and will want to

change this. There has been a resurgence, as you say. Swansea are

going well in the Premier League. The Welsh national team have won

their last four games. The rugby team have done well, the boxing

last night, so sport generally in Wales is very good. I putted well

pick up for Cardiff. -- but it will be tough. Yes, if Liverpool get it

right. But we have seen it in finals before, sometimes the best

teams don't get it right. Cardiff will meet Liverpool to underperform.

And they will have to underperform. It has happened before. We have a

neutral in the house, I presume. How do you see this one? They are

always great occasions, but it is almost the fans final. We were here

last year with Arsenal and Birmingham and some of the guys

thought it was going to be a walkover for Arsenal. The while

reminding us that she went for Birmingham. I did. But I can't see

Cardiff doing it today. I'm delighted to see them, Malky Mackay

has done a wonderful job and when he took over I think they had 10

full-time professionals, and a few of them were under 17. So he has

done so well to get them gelling so quickly, and to get here is a great

success. They only just made it, they are relatively late! This was

a few moments ago. That might be them saying we are going to do

everything as normal as possible, they might get to their respective

grounds week in week out... You say that, but the way they are running

of the bus suggests otherwise. Adding they have been caught in

traffic. There is Malcolm McKay. has done a great job. -- Malky

Mackay. Yes, Dave Jones for him befall them, they did really well,

got to the play-offs, the FA Cup final. And as Alan said, he got

there and lost a lot of players and has had to build it from scratch. I

went there recently and he really has got the place going, he has put

his own stamp on it. As the Liverpool team, they arrived about

half-an-hour ago. Kenny Dalglish has seen it all before, but not

that this particular Wembley. This is their first visit to this new

Wembley. You can tell. 16 years since Liverpool have been here...

They went the wrong way. The number of people buying tickets for this

game, honestly... You go back to the great days and the demand for

cup final tickets. There is Andy Carroll. He is obviously say you

have to pick me, because there he is in his kit already! I think from

Liverpool's point of view, it there is away of doing it the hard way to

get here, they have done it. They have played every tie away from

home and played some big teams. And if you look at the first one they

had, Exeter way, the first scorers were Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll -

- away. They set out to win this competition. By I think it is a

reward for the Liverpool supporters. They support the team through thick

and thin. They haven't been here for 16 years and to get here and

play in the final, they have had a lot of hard games along the way and

it has been terrific. You mentioned how hard it has been for Liverpool

fans to get tickets and the same is true of the Cardiff fans. Let's get

Liverpool! I am sorry Liverpool, it is a Welsh win. A big weekend for

Wales, rugby, boxing and football. Kenny has got them playing well and

we will win today. If we can keep it to six goals, we will be all

right. We are going to batter them! The it is definitely our time. We

CHEERING. Hopefully, we will win, but as long

as we don't get hammered. We have the best team, the best walks --

squad, the best players, a foregone conclusion. My dad was born in 1937

and he is up there watching as winner. First time at Wembley for a

long time. We were beaten by Manchester United in 1996, wearing

those silly suits. I think they have still got them. I was best man

at a wedding and I text did him saying I had gone to Wembley. --

text messaged him. If you are put in the FA 10, we will follow you.

I think Cardiff are going to win 3- 0. I sent to the text message, he

didn't reply. I didn't even phone him.

There's just no need for that. I wonder how the wedding is going!

Chris, I sensed there is more optimism amongst the Liverpool fans,

but you might expect that. Yes, as we said looking earlier, looking at

the Liverpool squad, they have a lot of quality on the bench.

Cardiff are playing in the Championship, albeit a good

Championship side. I just heard one of the Liverpool fans saying it is

a foregone conclusion and in football, the only guarantee is

there are no guarantees. If Liverpool don't turn up, which I

don't think they will, Cardiff are a useful team. They have dangerous

players, a very good manager and they are very much in the us up --

ascendancy. I don't think Kenny Dalglish will be saying that in the

dressing room. He will be stressing to them about complacency, because

that is the way you face defeat, becoming complacent. 16 years they

have not been here. It has been a while. Let's remind you how

while. Let's remind you how Liverpool reached today's final.

They entered the competition at the second-round stage and began with a

trip to League One Exeter with Andy Carroll amongst the scorers. Two

successive away victories saw them set up a quarter-final with Chelsea

at Stamford Bridge. Two goals in five minutes wrapped up the tie to

take the ball into the semi-final, where they faced Manchester City.

Steven Gerrard scoring in both legs to help them to an aggregate win.

to help them to an aggregate win. We can hear from Liverpool

goalscoring legend, he is with Steve Wilson.

I am joined by Ian Rush. You played and won here many times for

Liverpool. It has been a long time since the football club has been

here at Wembley. It has and I think the way the supporters want to come

and watch this game says it all. It is their first time that the new

Wembley and everyone is excited and that they just hope the team

perform on the day. How do you see it going? They are strong favourite.

Yes, but you look at the FA Cup final, Liverpool against Wimbledon,

it is the preparation that it is all about. I think of Cardiff over

perform and Liverpool underperform, they can win, but I think with

Kenny Dalglish there, the preparation will be spot on. It is

the mental preparation, not the physical preparation. Again, you

walk out on the pitch and the players have to do it. The pitch is

perfect, but I am expecting a Liverpool win. But the players have

to do it. Your pedigree in this tournament is beyond question, 49

goals, no one has ever scored more than that. Do you have a favourite?

I don't have a favourite. Cup competitions were very special for

me. By second goal was the League Cup. -- my. I scored my first goal

at Wembley against Tottenham in the early 1980s when we beat them 3-1.

But for players today, it is the Carling Cup now and that is what it

is all about and the players have to produce. Hopefully they do from

a Liverpool point of view. Thank you for your time of.

One of the great goalscorers. There is the art of Liverpool Football

Club John Henry, hoping that he will collect his first trophy --

the owner. He also owns the best and red socks. -- Boston Red Sox.

As the Cardiff, they made a stuttering start to their Carling

stuttering start to their Carling Cup campaign. They required extra

time to progress through the first three rounds. The game against

Leicester went to penalties with Captain Paul Quinn scoring the

winner. Joe Mason's left-foot curler saw off early in round four

to set up a tie with Blackburn. The semi-final saw both Crystal Palace

and Cardiff win their respective home tie is 1-0, with Cardiff

making it through to Wembley with a on penalties. Tom Heaton of the

on penalties. Tom Heaton of the hero.

Allen, Cardiff had sought to scramble through, one or two

penalty shoot-outs -- sort of. Absolutely. They have any played

one Premier League team, which was Blackburn and when you compare that

to Liverpool's runner, it has been slightly easier, if you like. But

again, they thoroughly deserve to be here and they are one of the

teams in the Championship that like to play the right way, they like to

get the ball than on the ground, play their football. They have some

good passers. And they have Kenny Miller, who we all they will score

goals if he is given the chances. Plain that the new Wembley is

nothing new for Cardiff, it is their 4th visit in five seasons --

playing at. We have sent double Olympic swimming a medallist and

Bluebirds fan David Davies to This is an wasn't supposed to be

like this. Dave Jones departed in the summer. We were preparing for a

season of rebuilding. There was a danger that it was going to be

after The Lord Mayor show. Then we got a Scottish manager who started

pulling rabbits out of that. -- a Malky Mackay was a pretty popular

choice when he was appointed. A young manager with a decent track

record. From Glasgow as well, which these days is a prerequisite. And

for good measure, he has navigated another passage to Wembley Way.

Keep going, keep it going. That is What was the most fundamental thing

you had to change when you came here? Just the fact that the boys

were open to change, open to doing different things other than being

on the football pitch. There is obviously a time for coaching but

at the same time you have to make sure that there are various other

things that can help them, in terms of being a top-level athletes,

things that you take from different sport and that is something we are

trying to do. The fans will identify with the great work ethic

of the team, they are all in it together. Do you feel that is an

important thing? Very important. It is one of the mainstays of our

Group, in terms of how tight we are as a group, everybody pulling at

the same direction. We have staff and players respecting each other.

That is what we need, no egos and everyone to buy into this, the

staff and players, and you will have a better chance of going

forward together. But team have gelled really well.

Were you expecting that? -- the team. Probably not as quickly. It

takes time to get to know how each other up play. That comes with time

and playing games. I think the Cup has helped in terms of the extra

games for players to get to know each other, that there are no

cliques, they are pulling in one direction. It helps with good

results on the pitch as well. modern-day footballer has a few

more strings to his bow then you might imagine. Never mind playing

golf or snooker after training. Nowadays, they work with the mind

How do you find yoga? Probably a lot harder than I thought it was

going to be. It is good, though. Definitely feeling the benefits of

doing it. I used to have quite a few problems with my hamstrings and

things like that and it seems to be helping bat. It did help she just

by 5%, it is worth it -- helping the that combat and if it helps you

buy 5%, it is worth it. The fans are seeing a hard-working team,

disciplined, and they appreciate that. Are you finding that?

definitely. And the personnel, they have brought on a few young lads,

that that have high work ethic, and that is why they are still up there

Should the ball ever leave the circle?

You forget you are in a South Wales sometimes and not in Glasgow?

have got to get a wee bit of Glaswegian going. But it has been

good. I thought we were a Scotland The Cup final of 2008, the team was

led by Stephen McPhail. Since then, he has battled with serious illness.

For him, being involved with the squad and another trip to Wembley

is a real psychological boost. Personally, I love every minute of

football. My health hasn't been great the last couple of years, a

problem we are trying to get to the bottom of. It has been a long road

and we are still trying to get there, but I have been to the US to

see a specialist and hopefully we will have some sort of treatment

that might slow down and give me a chance to play a bit longer.

heard you got advice from a special superstar? I got lucky enough to

speak to Venus Williams. There are only as two athletes in the world

with this syndrome. It was good to bounce things off, as care how she

was feeling, and the things that got she got a good reaction from --

ask her. And a few weeks of treatment that she is getting,

hopefully it will commit them. I have just been in your office and

could see in some books from successful American sports coaches.

-- have seen. They are guide you can learn a lot from. You're

talking about elite performers, you see how they train, how they apply

themselves. Incredible work to get to Olympic standards. We try and

make the training ground and the work place like that every day.

is fair to say you're not going to Wembley for a day out, you're going

to give it a good go? Absolutely. We go into every game to be

competitive. We are massive underdogs, I don't think anybody

from Liverpool will underestimate us, but we are going to win the Cup

final. -- going there. 100 years ago last month, Captain Scott and

his team reached the South Pole. Only to find he had been beaten to

it. They set sail from Cardiff Docks and this lighthouse is a

memorial to that glorious failure. There is no disgrace in been

runner-up, of course, we all know that, but it just might be that we

have just got up alone before finishing second is not an option.

This is the Cardiff team and that Chris, does that systems surprise

you? It is quite attack -- quite attacking. Yes, Kenny Miller is

usually up there by himself and Peter Whittingham usually plays at

the number 10. He can also play out wide. And a bit surprised, he

hasn't done that a lot this season, Malky Mackay, but he thinks he

needs to go with two out-and-out strikers. It is a big day for

Hudson. He has been out for a few Hudson. He has been out for a few

weeks as well. He is obviously not as fit as they would like him to be.

He knows he will be in a game today with the players that Liverpool

have up front. Cardiff like to play and I think that will go against

them. If you are against better players, you want to be getting in

their faces and that let them settle. If they get it down and

play, it could play into Liverpool's hands. Dear think the

fact that he has gone more positive, Kenny Dalglish might like that? --

do you think? Absolutely, you will sit in the dressing room and think

they have gone attacking. But it bodes well for the game, because it

should be open. Peter Whittingham, a key player. Technically very

gifted. Yes, a lovely left-foot. They signed him from Aston Villa,

he is a class operator, very composed on the ball. Excellent

from dead-ball situations. He gets it up and down over the wall to

great effect, and he does it consistency. Bat consistently. He

can also play in front of the back four, so if Malky Mackay wants to

switch it around, he can take Whittingham from the centre of

midfield and put him into more of a holding position if Liverpool are

getting on top. He was terrific in the semi-final. You can tell

quality on the ball when he gets it down and play. Is the -- here is

the Liverpool line-up. No place for Craig Bellamy. Andy Carroll is up

front with Suarez. I think he has had his critics all season longer,

and there is a massive price to pay for him, but we have seen the green

shoots of recovery. He has scored a couple, move better. Suarez and

Gerrard are the big two for Liverpool, but defensively, the

goalkeeper and the back four are as good as any in the Premier League.

I think the big problem they have had this season is the lack of

goals that they have scored, and when you have been signed for �35

million and you are in a bad night, it is up to you to get the goals.

It is a big surprise that Craig Bellamy is not there. He may be

struggling with an injury, but I thought he would play today, just

because of his pace. He made your Welsh squad, Chris, straight in

there. Yes. Straight in there. He missed one or two days' training

this week, an ongoing problem with his knee, said that may be a factor.

We love your inside information. It is just over a year since Kenny

Dalglish return as manager of Liverpool. He is no stranger to

this part of the world. Once upon a time, Wembley was very much a home

Three words. One powerful connection. In a bygone era, the

home of English football became the second home cooking Kenny and his

clan. Once there so often, it was coined Anfield said, Dalglish made

Wembley a home from home. -- Anfield South. It took less than a

year for him to cement his place in Liverpool folklore, scoring the

winner on the famous ground in the European Cup final. One of three

European titles picked up during this most illustrious of

Back row four successive League Cups followed. -- four. West Ham,

Spurs, Manchester United and Everton all defeated as the love

affair between Liverpool, Dalglish Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, two

managerial titans who led the club through unparalleled success, had

been and gone and in 1986, it was Dalglish's time. Dalglish is in

there. Yes! The player-manager's scores the goal that may edge

Liverpool nearer to their 16th Championship. Now player-manager,

he led from the front. And the same year, led the assault on Wembley

against neighbours Everton in the FA Cup final. Is this three? It is!

Liverpool have won the Double. Though the glory years couldn't and

wouldn't last forever, League Cup final defeat in 1987 to Arsenal was

followed by one of the greatest- ever Cup final shocks. The Crazy

Then in 1989, tragedy struck off the pitch and shook the club, the

country and Dalglish to the core. The two Merseyside clubs were to

meet Again, an extra-time victory for the Red brought pride, but

brought back none of their lost sons and daughters. 3-2, or

Liverpool! Liverpool are FA Cup winners for the 4th time.

strain of dealing personally with so many of Liverpool's breed

families was suppressed. For now. - - bereaved. The League Cup of 1990

was the last stroke be brought back to Anfield before one of their most

successful partnerships in English football came to an end.

biggest problem is the press that pressure I was putting myself under,

because of my desire to be successful. Bash the pressure.

Three European Cups, eight league titles, four European Cups -- four

A phenomenal record. And now he is back, reigniting cherished memories

of old and hoping to banish others from Liverpool's final Wembley

appearance 16 years ago, when another club's King A came and

ruled this sacred turf. Eric Cantona! Three words. Forever bound

by history. Three words, never more Blimey, they were quite good in

their day, Liverpool. The great days. There were a lot of magical

moment, but a lot of sadness as well, obviously Hillsborough. A

smiling Gary Abbott in 1989, who has sadly passed away back Gary

applet. And then Kenny resigned in 1991. He was such an unbelievably

good player, he would moan and complain, and when I started

playing with him, as a centre-back, you could hit it in five or six

yards either side of him and every time he would get it, he was that

good and it gave it unbelievable confidence. He didn't like it to

bounce it. No! And then he was a fantastic manager. He had the

ability to get the best out of players. How hard as it were no

club has been as successful as Liverpool, but that the dominance,

the last decade has been a struggle to reach those former heights.

think because their biggest rivals Manchester United are so dominant,

they have overtaken Liverpool's 18 titles, that is harder to bear. But

for the Liverpool supporters, they support the team through thick and

thin, the best supporters end the world. As far as Dalglish is

concerned, he should never have left Liverpool. They gave him three

months to recuperate and start again and I think if he had been

manager for the last 21 years... The Sir Alex Ferguson effect,

possibly. Wonderful timing of you'll never walk alone. Those

wonderfully successful at Liverpool years. We can hear from Kenny

Dalglish now. The fans we have been speaking to

are saying it is very special to come back to Wembley, how special

is it for you as a manager and the squad of players? It is a fantastic

achievement by the players to get here. Most of the players, if not

all of them, have made a contribution to the result we have

had during the competition, and it has not been an easy road. A lot of

difficult games, a lot of excellent performances. It is always great to

measure your success by how often And it has not been easy. You have

beaten Chelsea at Chelsea. You have had to beat Manchester City. One

more hurdle. And it is a difficult hurdle. We are under no illusions

that it will be difficult. It has been a fantastic achievement for

Cardiff to get to where they are. They are in the middle of the drive

to get promotion to the Premiership. Malky Mackay has done a fantastic

job. Both teams are here on merit. Managers have to make team

selections all the time. Do you do well on team selection for a cup

final more? Every teeny pig, you disappoint someone. When you get to

the final, the disappointment is greater. -- every time you pick a

team, you disappoint some one. We're not going to get success with

11 players, we're going to get success through having a strong

squad. That is why we're here. Thank you for your time.

And Man United played under you as well. You can see the gradual --

gradual improvement of the team this year but it has not been easy.

Not at all. Whether you believe with some of the things he has said

this year or not, I personally believe he has got some things

wrong in what he has done off the pitch. But as a manager, when

things are going against you, the way he sticks up at you -- a six up

for you, you want to repay him because of the fate he shows in

year. It is a tremendous feeling to have. And that is such an integral

part of management, bringing out the best in individuals. I joined

Blackburn after they won the title and I never had a good time as a

player there. I could not get into the flow of it, but Ken was

brilliant with me. He was 1-1, try to give me confidence, absolutely

superb. Some managers have got that, and some have not. He certainly has.

He has been criticised for the way he handled the Luis Suarez affair

but despite that, he remains a crucial player for them. He was

badly missed when he was out for eight matches. I think when you

look at success at Liverpool, and you measure the success that he had

with Fernando Torres, within six or eight weeks, it was Fernando who?

When you sit at Anfield and watch When you sit at Anfield and watch

this guy play, the anticipation of the supporters, every time he gets

the ball, there is a roar. Again Stoke City, a brilliant nutmeg and

a fantastic goal. It is the quick feet, that trickery. He beats about

14 men against Manchester United. The back-heel here is absolutely

sensational. Every time he gets the ball in the box, the defenders are

scared to go near him. Because he has that kind of ability. Quick

feet, that takes him away from players. That movement, allied with

the sort of thing. He is just the sort of thing. He is just

fantastic to watch. Terrific talent. Let us hear from Malky Mackay.

What is your state of readiness ahead of the game? I gather some of

the guys watch the Nathan Cleverley fight last night? Yes, they have a

look at the rugby and some of them are friendly with Nathan, he

trained with us for a few days. They watched him win last night.

Delighted for him. It has given you left? It was a good day. -- giving

you a lift. Some tough calls to make as the manager. Tom Heaton and

Mark Huddlestone. We were guarding his ankle last week, Tom Heaton, so

he goes in goals. And Mark Austin comes back in, shaking off a calf

injury. You must be delighted to be the underdogs. No pressure? So they

say. We are concentrating on our own thing. We are delighted to be

out there and making sure that we perform to the standards that I

know we can. Cardiff have been to Wembley a lot in recent times.

Unhappy memories of cup finals and play-off defeats. Does that they're

happy -- bear heavy on some of the players who took part in those

games. --? There are not many of them left. The group this year our

focus on what we have done this year. It is a new start. It is a

different group of players altogether. All we know we are run

for a tough game, playing against a good team, but we have our own mind

set. -- we know we are up for a tough game. Underdogs should be

beaten nine times out of 10, but there is always the other time.

Malky Mackay and Craig Bellamy walking out there. He cannot get in

the Liverpool starting line-up, perhaps he once again with Cardiff?

He will be delighted he is not He will be delighted he is not

playing. Cardiff players, out on the pitch. An important time for

them. Like they said, they are very calm and it is important they do

not get overly nervous. Exactly. Many of the Liverpool boys have

played on big occasions but some of these Cardiff boys have not. It is

important they played a game. They know they're playing a good team in

Liverpool and yes, it is the final Liverpool and yes, it is the final

but they cannot concentrate on the surroundings. Concentrate on the

job in hand, and become. -- Be calm. They have to start well. When you

come to her first major Wembley appearance, you're going to be

nervous. Individually, collectively, you have to get to grips with the

game. The main thing, do not concede early. As you would expect,

terrific support for both sides. Comedian John Bishop is among the

Liverpool fans. And he is getting stick from some of the Cardiff fans.

In a to has been a long time as a Liverpool fan since you had a

chance to come to Wembley. How does it feel? I was not born last time.

It was 60 years ago. I think it will be a great day. It is a great

day for everyone. There is banter with the Cardiff lads, it is great.

There has been a massive turnaround under Kenny but it has been a long

time since Liverpool won a trophy. It is. And you can see the emotion

that he displayed in the semi-final. He loves the club. It means

something for the club to show that we're making steps in the right

direction. And there is a bit weak coming up for you, for Sport Relief.

-- Big week. Straight after the match, I am going to Paris and I am

doing a thing for Sport Relief -- Sport Relief called a week of hell,

where I start tomorrow morning, and then coming back here just after. I

am writing -- running 185 miles. We have just been allowed the approval

from the French government for me to run across the -- row across the

Channel and then run three marathons over three days,

finishing in London, to raise money for Sport Relief. You are looking

fit. How much training had he done? Loads! This is all make-up, it's

telly, it isn't a real! We are in front of a Green screen, we are not

even at Wembley! Found a to as it Stuffer. We wish him all the best.

The Sport Relief website has all the information on his challenge. A

key figure for Cardiff will be their lone striker, Kenny Miller.

Kenny Miller on the turn! It is a remarkable story. There you were,

out in Turkey, you came to Cardiff City for �850,000 and during a

League Cup final. Did you think this would happen? -- you why in a

League Cup final. To reach the Cup final you rely on a lot, bowl-off

love -- the lot of the draw. We have come up against Blackburn in

the Cup, penalty shoot-out in the quarter-final, and I thought we won

that deservedly so. Miller scorers! How excited are you? I am looking

forward to it. It is a fantastic stadium. The only time I would ever

be here is if it is an international or a cup final.

Either way, it is a massive occasion. What does it mean for the

football club to be at Wembley again? You were not part of the

previous three trips. It is a huge achievement. This is four visits in

four years. It is fantastic. know what people are saying about

Cardiff City, the league form has dipped, it is obvious what has

happened, they have taken one eye off the Championship. Is that

right? Over the course of the season, you are going to have a dip.

For us, it coincides with the Cup final but I can say that the

players, personally, I have will be looking past any league games to

the Cup final. -- I have not been looking past. Promotion is our

bread and butter. We would swap a Carling Cup win for promotion any

day of the week. It has been unfortunate that we have hit this

drop in form. It is England versus Wales, if you like. But two shots -

- two Scots in the managerial positions. Was Kenny in Dalglish

and influence on you when you were a child? -- Kenny Dalglish. Yes. He

is a world-class footballer. Obviously, to come up against his

team, it is an honour. What do you make of his Liverpool side? There

is some great players, including Craig Bellamy, who was in his

dressing room this time last year. The Arie fantastic team. Craig

Bellamy is one of many. Five, six fantastic players. And their

captain, being their main man, Luis Suarez -- Luis Suarez. It is going

to be a tough task. How will you get on? We need to get back to

working hard. We need to play at high tempo, working hard. We are

not under any illusions that we are favourites. They are rightly

favourites because they are a top Premiership team. We do not -- we

know we can impose ourselves on the Rangers and Celtic and Scotland.

Can he win a Cup in England with a Welsh club? It is getting far too

complicated for me. He is a handful. He will score goals and he has done

throughout his career. Even if it is not going for him, when he's out

of the game, if he gets a chance he will find a bit of space. He knows

where the net is. I was speaking to Malky Mackay about him. Just there,

you find him in between the two centre-halves, running in behind.

He does not like getting up against the big centre-halves. He likes to

find pockets of space. Watches the run. -- watches run. Once he gets

in there, and he has done that all his career, he scores goals. He had

big boots to fill because last year it was Bellamy, and Bothroyd, and

Chopra. He will do that time and time again and he is going to have

to do that today because he will not stand up against the centre-

halves. Malky Mackay was telling me that as a person he leads very well

and the dressing room. and the dressing room.

Anti-Scottish. And he has been given a bit of support. -- and he

is Scottish. The target man, up front, he is 6 feet 4. They will

have to change. That will be interesting to see if they employ

those targets. -- tactics. Liverpool players walking back into

the dressing room after warm-up. Craig Bellamy, on the bench for

Liverpool. And he is arguing, that is not like him(!) Who would have

thought? The last time Liverpool won a trophy was in 2006 with the

FA Cup. It was handled by Steven Six long years since Liverpool last

delivered on the big stage. That is a long time for you guys. It is for

a club the size of Liverpool. You would not expect us to go that long.

There has been some frustrating times since then. We have been

unfortunate. We got to the Champions League final in 2007 and

we lost it. That shows you how big this is for us. Bowl the last few

years, involved in the Champions League, this tournament gets

diluted. You have to make other competitions the priority. There

was no Europe this year. Three trophies up for grabs. We needed to

take them seriously. From Kenny's team selection and our performances,

we have shown how important it has been for us. Gerard scorers! I want

to win as many medals as I can. Finishing 4th is never good enough

but it is financially important for the club. From a selfish point of

view, playing at Wembley and walking up the steps and lifting

trophies, as captain of the team, that is what it is all about.

Playing at Wembley, it is extra special. Growing up as a kid,

watching Cup finals, I am really looking forward to the occasion. It

is very important that we perform and we do not underestimate Cardiff.

The to a self here than this time last year. You were out of all the

competitions 12 months ago. This time last year, the season was

basically over for us. It was not good enough. Kenny came in and

lifted everyone up. We have moved forward. We are in the Carling Cup

final and we are close. We are four points off 4th, and we believe we

can make up that gap. You know the manager very well. What kind of

character is he away from the dug- out? He still thinks he is a player.

He is a fantastic manager, he is a good man-manager. He shows the

players a lot of support and he is really honest. That is all you ask

for as a player. Around the ground, he still thinks he wants a game of

footie. He loves the game and his passionate. You have to be a winner

at this club but you have to play under pressure. There is a lot

expected. He's been there as a player and a manager. So we is the

ideal person to take advice from. Can ask you about Craig Bellamy? He

seems to be at ease with himself since coming back here. I think

that is down to Kenny. Kenny has confidence in him. He is protecting

a man looking after him. -- protecting him and looking after

him. His confidence is high and he is looking sharper. He was the

signing of the year, and he has scored some really important goal

era. -- goals. For all the progress that Liverpool have made over the

last 12 months, a frustrating as it before you with the groin and ankle

problems, and the season that you have endured? It has been a tough

year. The last couple mums have been enjoyable because I had been

fit and back with the team. I have felt like a football player again.

I worked hard to get back four days like this, so why am looking

forward to it. That is the view from high above the Wembley Stadium.

This is what their plane for, the Carling Cup, being brought out onto

the field by Brian Keegan, a good Liverpool name but no relation. A

warrant Officer, first class, for the Royal Electrical and Mechanical

Engineers. It is a big occasion for him. Wonderfully done. Steven

Gerrard, we saw him talking there, and interestingly, there are more

gratuitous shots from the season of 1986. Liverpool's success over

Everton that I have just about got over! For him, he says it is more

about winning trophies than finishing 4th. I would disagree

with that because I think the only place to be in modern-day football

is the Champions League. If you look at him, in the champions' lead

to better than six and the FA Cup, six years about a trophy, a barren

spell, obviously the type of player he is he wants to win trophies.

This is his trademark. When he came back after Newcastle, it was all

into ball for Andy Carroll. -- ball after ball. It is a great save by

Roddy there. This is against Joe Hart. Good touch, bad touch, great

touch. He is such a big influence for Liverpool in the dressing room.

He is not back to his best but he is getting there. Every time I see

him play, he gets better. Terrific scenes out there. The fans warming

up, expectant. It is a great occasion. It is a great advert for

football in this country, when you see how we have done the final.

Both sets of fans, fantastic fans. Liverpool I used to winning

trophies in Cardiff. Look at that, that is a great advert for football.

If you look back, how many clubs would be thinking, maybe I should

have put my best team out in one of the ties? Let's face it, at the

beginning of the competition you see the big clubs putting their

squad players out. How many of them are looking now and saying, I wish

we were there now won this magnificent occasion? The fans

think it is special. Let us hope the game lives up to the occasion.

We have two teams who like to play football. That is a big plus point.

Some big-name players out there. It made me laugh when I heard them say,

well, there is not a lot of pressure on us. There is pressure

on them, because there is a place in Europe at stake. You have

thousands of fans travelling miles to watch them perform. It is great

for Cardiff to be here. It is a terrific achievement but it is a

must win for Liverpool. No one likes to lose a final. It does not

matter who you are. The Cardiff City players are on show today.

Individually, they were not want to be shown up. Strange things can

happen. As you well know. 1988 at Wembley. You want to avoid 1986 but

you want to bring up 1988? Was that in colour or black and white?

a year looking forward to a great occasion and hopefully the teams

will play well. -- we are looking forward. Which team will win?

will be the boys in red. I think they have too much for Cardiff.

They are waiting to hammer somebody. Because of the impetus and momentum

that beating Brighton has given them, and I know the lack of goals

has been a problem, but because they scored six against Brighton,

they will go from strength to strength. It starts here.

Cardiff possibly do it? A lot has got to go wrong for Liverpool and

Cardiff will have to get everything right. It will be difficult for

Cardiff but we have seen it before. Cup finals being Cup finals, a lot

is going to go wrong for Liverpool. The beginning of the game is.

Cardiff have to keep it tight and make sure their players react well

to the atmosphere. I know a few of them have played here in play-offs

but this will be different. There is a lot of pressure and they have

to perform. There is no second chances. I think it will be a very

tight game. I do not think it will be as easy as many of the Liverpool

fans think it will be. It will be difficult to control the ball on

top of those covers. It has been six years since Liverpool won a

major trophy. It has been a lot longer since Cardiff got their

hands on some silverware. This hands on some silverware. This

really matters. Let us join the commentary team of Guy Mowbray and

Martin Lawrence in. Thank you, Gary. -- Mark Lawrenson.

It is a perfect spring afternoon. Just right for the first silverware

of the season to: -- glint in the sunshine. The trophy, the weather,

the hemisphere. Liverpool at Wembley, it is like a major final

of yesteryear. Kenny Dalglish and all. The team will be let out for a

Wembley final by one of the City's own, a Liverpudlian, for only the

second time. Tommy Smith in 1971, and Steven Gerrard in 2012. For

Cardiff City and the Bluebirds, it is familiar territory. For their

4th visit to Wembley in the 21st century. Looking to complete the

second Triple Crown of the weekend for Wales. A victory over England

at the Six Nations, and Nathan Cleverley defended his light

heavyweight title last night. Cardiff City are going for the hat-

trick. All that and it is St David's Day on Thursday as well as

being the Chinese Year of the dragon. Those Liverpool players are

red hot favourites. We said that one year ago. You can get the same

odds on a Liverpool victory as you do on Arsenal. Birmingham City of

said those odds last year. Can Cardiff do the same? -- upset the

odds. Out of the tension of the Wembley looks a picture. Really

good showcase for English football around the world, this game, being

screened in an estimated 151 Liverpool manager. I expect he

thought that they would never come again. The 52nd League Cup final.

The presentation party. Mark Hunter, the Chief Executive of the sponsors.

Greg Clark, chairman of the Football League. And Lou Armstrong

representing the Football League's official charity this season. I

must mention the mascots. It is a huge day for them. Somebody has

told me that it was the Cardiff's nine-year-old mascot's birthday

this weekend. Mark Hudson. He takes the dignitaries down the line. They

won 3-1 against Peterborough at the Managers with birthdays a fortnight

apart. The Cardiff boss was 40 last Sunday and Kenny Dalglish will be

61 in one week's time. There is a wonderful noise around the place.

Cardiff are delighted to be back. Liverpool supporters savouring

their first taste, incredibly, of Glaswegians. Let's look at the

Cardiff City line-up. A bold team named by Malky Mackay with two

genuine strikers and width to supply them from Don Cowie and John

Mason. Peter Whittingham is joint top scorer with Kenny Miller on 10.

plays for and captains Liverpool. In a team that has surprised those

who expected Craig Bellamy to play. Stuart Bellamy and Jordan Henderson

atmosphere and hopefully enjoy the game, somebody well-versed to

winning League Cups with Liverpool, Mark Lawrenson. It was in black and

white. I have completely forgotten. You said that Cardiff have picked

an attacking team and I think Malky Mackay has decided that is the best

way to play against Liverpool. From Liverpool's point of view, without

Bellamy, I wonder if the view is that there is half an hour left,

maybe they will throw Craig Bellamy on and he will change the game.

has been struggling. His training has been limited. He has had

painful injections and maybe that is the reason why Craig Bellamy is

only a substitute today. Tough luck for air Steven Gerrard's Cousin,

Anthony. In the absence of their skipper, he has been playing with

them. But he was left out of the play-off last time Cardiff were

here, two years ago. Again, he has to sit on the bench. It is not

something you want to get used to. It has been a while since Hudson

has played. He has not played since the middle part of January. It is a

bit of a gamble. Mark Clatternberg is the referee today. Simon Beck

will assist him with the flags. a big time Cup-final. I walked up

at 11 am and I have never seen that many people before kick-off. Five

Cardiff in the huddle. And a great noise coming from writer around

this wonderful stadium. -- from against Premier League. Cardiff

City against Liverpool. England against Wales. For a report, it is

their first visit to Wembley since 1996. -- for Liverpool. It is a

while since they have won anything. And that is Jose Enrique. Left

charge. And there are men on either side. He has gone for the top

corner! Rattles the woodwork! Gerrard! What an effort from

Johnson! So, so close. Yes. Gerrard, travelling some 56 yards with the

ball. Great technique. I think it was four against three at one stage.

Gerrard blazed high and wide. And a as we speak, trying to sort that

out. I should think they will spend most of the match there. You are a

long way away in your allocated matter - the ball has gone out

anyway. This is a great angle to see this again. Tom Heaton was

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

around. Over the top and there was a push from Carroll. A good

advantage play by Mark Clattenburg earlier on. Yes. Undoubtedly a push

by Carroll. What I your feelings on Andy Carroll at the moment? Is seen,

as he says at the moment, -- is he, as he says at the moment, getting

there? He is. He has definitely improved over the last few games.

He is back to match fitness but still not the awesome Andy Carroll

that played for Newcastle and used to frighten everybody. Especially

when you played against him! And he is a regular team mate now for

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

and very much the second choice. looks like he is wearing orange

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Miller was. He was trotting back into midfield and was not sure who

Coventry City. He played in the Carling Cup a four -- Carling Cup

get onto the pitch. They are smiling. We saw that little

argument he was having before the match and it was a Football League

official. He was telling him to get off the pitch because the warm-up

mate of Craig Bellamy. -- and the leant back as he struck and a great

move and nice Work from Cowie. You should at least make the

goalkeeper work. Two members of the strong cop -- Scottish connection,

Don Cowie and Kenny Miller. Those two will be in the Scotland squad

for the international next week. And Steven Gerrard will hope to be

back here perhaps leading England. We haven't had that question

Cardiff that the space that Suarez is finding. Balls are going around

the corner and Suarez is coming off people. He has scored in his last

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

two games since he came back from for him. Up against Cardiff and

just one previous appearance against them. And scored in a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Newcastle United win. Now in the they won against Manchester United.

That was in 2003. And twice against West Ham. I think we remember those

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

opponent for Carroll, but he kicks the ball wide. Everybody across the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

midfield had lots of time and space again for Johnson. Almost playing

has featured a club from outside the top division of English

football since 2001. Liverpool were in that one as well, beating

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Birmingham City, but they needed up position and drive forward. He

thought about it... And on to wonder if it was sneaking in.

No pressure from Cardiff on the man either on the ball against

Liverpool. They need to mount a bit of pressure of their own. And not

the best return there to Miller but amazing! Cardiff City lead! Joe

Mason! What a cool, cool finish! And it is the blue flags flying at

Wembley! And greater gains Liverpool as well. He had so much

time and space. A lovely little ball there. I would have thought it

went through his legs. It is the 20-year-old's 8th goal of the

season. The man who scored the only goal of the 4th round tie against

Burnley. Signed from Plymouth Argyle. He's the talk of all

Cardiff right now! Didn't he take it well?! Excellent! Great ball

from Kenny Miller. The Carling Cup Final is a light, well and truly!

Against the run of play! What can Suarez do? No reply yet. Liverpool

have been finding a way through but then Malky Mackay's team have come

through and shown real confidence when coming forward. Look at the

manager, he can hardly get his breath! And Kenny is seething.

yeah. A few echoes of last year in this final. Most of the noise came

from the Birmingham fans that time. Again, it is the red end that toss

sat with their arms folded, wondering how that happened. -- Map

of ours sat. -- at that are sat for the goal there was outstanding,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

gets the chance and Cardiff almost give it to him. Against the run of

play, just a bit! Liverpool have had two thirds of the ball. Doesn't

foot, I think. A rather desperate attempt there

from Gunnarsson. And it was the right call. Great position from the

glowering. Any blame attached to him? Well, yeah, because he had

lots of time to head it to where you wanted and the last places one

-- he wanted was to the guy he had when there was something a lot

safer on. Yes. He is getting nearer with his efforts. Well, I would

like to say that but I would be lying. We have talked about

Liverpool not having clashes with the Cardiff midfield. Eyebrows were

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

raised when we saw that Miller was defined Jose Enrique again. -- to

find. And a bit of confusion as to which way things are going. Yeah, a

good game, this, for Stewart Downing. And a big week for him

with England game coming up as well. Yes. Henderson would be another one

for me. Two really big Liverpool buys. I think the jury is still out

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

was my shirt. Free kick. -- a receive it. Great ball in. It was

only Andy Carroll within five yards. That is one of the problems were

Liverpool, more so at home, the lack of midfield players moving

into the box. I think it is a reason why they have drawn so many

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

better than that. It was almost a nervous starter before he hit it.

When he came end, it was like, maybe. "I can't take it with my

right, but I'll have a goal". the one goal in English football,

for Newcastle against Nottingham Forest tonight years ago. He has

Made by Taylor. I think the ball took some one's hand but it was hit

so quick. We will sit in a minute. It happens a lot but you have an

post. I think Heiton thinks this is in. Watches dive. -- watch his

diver. Where are you so poor to put your hand. His hand got nowhere

be doing it right in front of the manager. He scored 11 goals for

Cardiff City last season whilst on loan from Manchester City. He has

been excellent for Liverpool. Every time he has played, he has made

things happen. The man who got to Liverpool to this Wembley final.

The second goal in the second leg refereeing. Let's have one more

look at the Liverpool appeal. His left-arm his outstretched. If that

is a penalty, we may as well go Clatternberg. I think he talks to

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

the players and they appreciate for Cardiff. Throw your body in the

way. I think he threw his head in. John Mason, putting his head in

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

where it might just heard. -- Joe competition in the finals. It never

seems to go quite as planned for Cup as a manager. Runner-up in 1987.

And there is the big boss, John Henry is here. The one on the left?

Excellent. With respect to Anthony Gerrard, you can see why Mark

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Kenny Miller, but one huge assisted Gerrard. Biggest Liverpool chance

of the game. How did he miss that? He was nowhere near it. Great play

by Downing. Mick Naughton is twisted over the place, every

single way. He has to have closed with Liverpool's Spanish full-back.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

I'm sure he has got a free kick. was a theatrical dive. He asked to

get this right. -- he has to get getting involved. Needlessly. That

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Suarez in this competition. Malky Mackay and Andrew Taylor slowing it

down. Two minutes until 45 have last big chance before the break

for Liverpool. I thought for a moment, at him and Skrtel were

missed. It was an unbelievable chance. Either side of the

was a great ball in, and poor defensively from Cardiff. Is that

one of those moments that makes you has fallen. The ball has gone way

behind. Good pressure. He in the end, that made him snatch at it. It

was a great block, and then just as he gets it out of his feet, they

very good game. Kenny Dalglish might disagree. He will have words

ready. The goalkeeper has been man of the match in the Cup finals of

the last two seasons. Both times, Ben Foster. Ones for Manchester

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

United and once for Birmingham. -- the risk of smashing a 40 yard

first half of football. John Mason, in the 19th minute for Cardiff City,

with a wonderful finish. -- Joe Mason. Tom Heaton managed to keep

out a Daniel Agger header. On a wonderful weekend for Welsh Sports,

the dragon is flying high. At half- time in the 2012 Carling Cup final,

we have an upset on the cards. we have an upset on the cards.

Cardiff City 1, Liverpool 0. Five teams from outside the top

flight have won this League Cup over the years. Cardiff City has

got themselves in a good position. They have not read the script. The

first 20 minutes was all the trouble. I thought Cardiff gave

them too much time and space. After that, Cardiff have defended

magnificently. They have got the goal. 6 and 7s behind the ball but

apart from a couple of brilliant Downing crosses, Liverpool have had

a lot of possession. Second best at half-time, but you have got to say

that Cardiff deserved what they have got. Great start. The Welsh

weekend goes on and on. Less to a saw a be it carries on. The first

20 minutes are all for Liverpool. One good attack from Cardiff with a

great ball from Kenny Miller into Joe Mason. Malky Mackay was brought

in, and that was a wise move, bringing in Mark Hudson. They have

had bodies in front, but he has made one or two interceptions. He

has been top class. I think what has happened, the way Malky Mackay

has set up his team with his stead and Miller, Miller has been trying

to drop-off. -- Gestede. Normally there would be a whole but that has

not been happening. I have to agree, they have deserved it. Two players

in the Liverpool team have to do more. Jordan Henderson and Andy

Carroll, we need more. Within 10 are 15 minutes, I would bring Bell

on. Liverpool are starting to faucet. Kenny will be stressed with

them at half-time, they have to get it done. If Bellamy comes on, they

have to get it to him. Downing has put two sensational balls into the

box. For this game to become a box. For this game to become a

spectacle, it needs a Cardiff goal. A Kenny Miller is great in his

position. He is always looking to come away from the defenders. He

comes in, and that is a lovely pass. That is a sweet finish. Great play

but poor defending. It was a poor defender by Skrtel. Jose Enrique

and Daniel Agger are miles apart. It could have been avoided,

basically. It was a clever pass. Fantastic. And a great finish and

tremendous composure. 20 minutes before that, they could not get

into the game. They could not get a kick of the ball. What a stupid

game, footballers. Except with that Kenny Miller chance. We sport about

Kenny Miller before the game. In PE does not want to stand against

Kenny Miller. He uses his brain and he is clever. Look at and there.

Standing between the centre halves. He finds the space. That was the

only decent chance. But that is only decent chance. But that is

top-class play for. The only thing that lets him down was the finish.

Liverpool went close early on. we mentioned earlier on about

Cardiff playing and attacking. They Cardiff playing and attacking. They

have so many men appear. -- men up here. Between that and the centre

backs, it is a million miles. Glen Johnson hits the bar. He runs from

right-back to inside-left. They come back to him and the liver

bought -- there are Liverpool bodies there. It is a fantastic

effort and he is unlucky. I do not think we will ever see five Cardiff

players... Look at best. He wins the ball there. The space between

that lot and the centre backs is miles. And he got punished for it.

Terrific effort. You watch that, and you're thinking, trouble. The

way the game panned out in the first 20 minutes, we were sitting

here saying that Liverpool have too much time and space and Cardiff are

much time and space and Cardiff are not getting in their faces. Maybe

marquee will have to sacrifice a striker. There is too much space in

midfield for Liverpool. I expected it stays 1-0, he may sacrifice one

later. -- I expect if it stays. A possible and ball from Taylor.

for me. I think Mark Clatternberg for me. I think Mark Clatternberg

got it absolutely right. I am not sure. Not for me. It just clips him.

Are you sure? I do not think that is a penalty. I think the referee

got it right. It is movement, isn't it? There is movement with his left

hand. It doesn't matter what we hand. It doesn't matter what we

think. It is of the referee thinks. That is a good point. Liverpool had

their chances early on. Overall, their chances early on. Overall,

they have had chances. Chris mentioned it. Jordan Henderson

picks it up. It is too easy. No pressure on the ball. Into Suarez

and Andy Carroll comes in... He has to do better here. We mentioned the

crosses. This is what Downing is capable of. That is a great ball.

Andy Carroll is expecting the ball to be in the air. He has to attack

that ball. Downing his inside out. That is a poor finish. You want

Steven Gerrard, rather than Anderson. -- Henderson. That tackle

from Mark Hudson was fantastic. A fantastic challenge. They have had

their fair share of chances but in fairness, Cardiff have defended

really well. Plenty to do in the really well. Plenty to do in the

second half. Not long now until you have to do your bit for Sport

There was some important games played in the Barclay's Premier

League today. An extraordinary League today. An extraordinary

north London derby watched by Jonathan Pearce.

Another North London epic on Oscar's weekend. Lily sat astride

an unopposed into the middle. He put Tottenham ahead after four

minutes. Arsenal seemed on the way to successive home league defeats

when Adebayor scored half an hour later after Szczesny was judged to

have brought down Gareth Bale. Two minutes later, van Persie curled in

a delicious equaliser from 20 yards. Six minutes after the break, the

comeback was complete. Rosicky in one of his best displayed started a

counter-attack. He finished existing clay. Theo Walcott tucked

in two inside three minutes to put them 5-2 up. Spurs' misery was

completed once Bob Parker was sent off.

off. Also in action, Norwich and

Also in action, Norwich and Manchester United.

On his 900th Manchester United appearance, Ryan Giggs scored the

crucial winning goal. That other veteran, Paul Scholes, had put the

champions in front in the 7th minute. Two brilliant saves kept

out Antony Pilkington. It was the Norwich captain who equalised eight

minutes from time with an explosive drive. United dug deep and after

Welbeck missed a glorious chance, Ryan Giggs converted young's

inviting centre for. You could not inviting centre for. You could not

write that script. I think this script has been written off and

about Manchester United. Another game played in the

Barclay's Premier League, and it has just the second finished. Stoke

City have beaten Swansea by 2-0. Goals from Peter Crouch and Oxon.

We will have a full report at the seven points and are only just

clear of North London neighbours Arsenal. Stoke climb two places

after victory. They beat Swansea today. Blackburn and we can end the

week in the relegation places. -- There's been a big game in League 1

today. A game of few chances between the two promotion chasers.

That was until Lewis Buxton which put in this cross with 17 minutes

remaining and Chris O'Grady headed in his 7th league goal of the

And we have some decent live football coming up on BBC

television! With four games in the We have got a perfectly balanced

game here in the Carling Cup Final. What about that Derby, it was

You were thinking if got none would win this, they would come back. It

was the most amazing game we have Let's look ahead now to the second

half here. Kenny is the man under pressure now. You know him really

well. What will he be like in the dressing room? I think if he

doesn't make a change already he will give it 10, 15 minutes and

then bring on Craig Bellamy for Andy Carroll or Henderson, who I

said I believe have to give more to the team. More than they gave in

the first half. No surprised me there. I would be surprised if it

stays exactly the same. Is there the sense that he can make his

players believe they can do this? Yes. Somehow keep your composure.

The fans will be getting more and more excited. Just keep your

composure of know what you're doing. Melt the attack, by all means, but

just keep your composure. -- amount to the attack. You'll get put under

massive, massive pressure by Gerrard is the man. He has got to

galvanise and lead the team boss Bob Kenny will be stressed. They

have to put Cardiff under more We have seen them whip in

tremendous balls. Kenny is having a word with the officials. He is

smiling now but he might be pointing out that ball, that

will be difficult because if they do what Allen has just said and

keep Cardiff running about and keep the ball, 30 minutes to go, Bellamy

has got that pays better than anybody. That is where they could

come unstuck. But it remains to be seen. I am pretty sure that you

could see them sacrifice a centre- forward. Or put another midfield on.

But I suspect we will see more chances in this hot. Liverpool will

have lots and lots of possession and it is just how they use it that

will determine whether they win this game or not. This could be the

most important 45 minutes in the lives of those Cardiff players. The

chance to win some silverware. We shall seek. Back to our

commentators. Thank you, Gary. Liverpool's player

has just been made to wait. And they would like to win a major

trophy again. At the moment, they are going to have to work really

hard to turn this around because it is Cardiff's to news at the moment,

thanks to this young man. -- Wembley during the half-time break!

You can't believe anybody wants to listen to that! Pardon? Sorry?!

we go. If that is ringing in our ears, I am sure the words of Kenny

Dalglish of bringing in the ears of the Liverpool players. No changes

things don't improve. -- know what having. Scored in his last

appearance, 23rd January, a 3-2 win advantage should have been played,

and with good reason. Yes. Unless the referee blew the whistle a bit

earlier and we didn't hear it. Words being exchanged between the

Liverpool manager and the officials in the technical area. Things are

not going for that young man at the Dalglish on the edge of that

technical area. What will he have said at half-time? You know him

well enough. Just a key player in, keep the ball moving. I do think

they have got to get a couple of people more forward. -- just to

know that Cardiff have got that tackle. Cardiff City, 22 times the

Welsh Cup winners. Just one FA Cup win. Cardiff are putting the

lovely bit of approach from Cardiff. Excellent, isn't it? This is the

ball here... It all opened up. We've seen two of those from Don

Cowie now. I think he can lay claim to be the greatest ever footballer

to come from the Highlands. Ross Jack was another. You need to get

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

not pick it up, but there is hardly any reaction from Carroll when the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

ball get picked up. Just on the equalising goal. And a huge

deflection on that Liverpool corner. He is claiming handball, Suarez. He

that will be the first yellow card of the match. Unfortunately, Jordan

Henderson, he has had a poor day knee. I go back to your comment -

you have got arms, so where are you Liverpool will make a change. They

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

in anything like that, that little clatter there. -- Henderson cannot

great pace but Mason is through the middle. And now back from

Whittingham. A pretty good tackle in the end from Agger and Cardiff

are to throw it. Still shaking his head at his own mistake. Three

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Liverpool players are going through it out... We're just going to look

back at the possible handball too Blanc. -- Suarez just held on a

little too long. Yes. The timing of those tackles from the Cardiff

to those balls, the Liverpool That was lazy more than anything.

And now we think we have a change we expected. Craig Bellamy coming

on and Jordan Henderson, having been booked, going off. Now it is

happening. It is great when you come on and you are cheered by both

sets of supporters. Cardiff side between the Borough boys.

shimmy to divert the attention of try and knocking it into the path

of Miller but couldn't get to the Liverpool have had eight now. --

Skrtel with the equaliser! Liverpool are level! Anfield South

has erupted! That is the first time in this game Cardiff have failed to

clear their lines. They have been so good. Talk about defending

decisively. Suarez was unlucky. He only found the woodwork. But Skrtel

reacted like a striker of. scored last week, did he not?

Two in two for Skrtel. And that the other end, Cardiff breaking

forward... Just having a look back on the touchline. Very frustrated

at seeing Liverpool equaliser. is it. Certainly not a penalty,

now. You can seem from Skrtel's reaction, no thought of celebration.

-- you can see. Just back to the hard work. This end is the noisiest

it has been all there! I wonder if he decided to change his team to

change the game a little bit. Dalglish wants anything but calm

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

from his team now. They are feeding of scoring goals, but two in two

weekends. Yes. And had a really good season as well. Quite a bit of

injury in the early days. And Jamie Carragher can't get into the team

pass the ball. And that is going nowhere. No. Cardiff need to go

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

through a spell of "just keep the from the start. Both teams for a

committed to attacking. -- fully And Bellamy claims that Heaton put

that through for the corner. He did get a touch on it. The referee's

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

assistant gave it. But after some fully expecting him to shift that

from his left foot. Yes. You try to run across your marker. A big

moment. They are chasing around for at the moment. Taylor's just heard

himself in blocking that. He will for a goal kick. I think the

referee is right. He asked, did it come off me? It didn't tell us. But

competition. I suspect we knew they would score at some point today.

Who scores next is so important. Yeah. Cardiff and their defending

are excellent. This was Joe Mason's best ball so far. Needed some sort

of heavy deflection on it to find a deep, isn't he? We could see

are a real threat down the right. They were down the left in the

first but now down the right. ball has been played out by Charlie

Adam. And that is because Gunnarsson has a problem. Was he

hit on the ear? Mackay would have shrub that sort of thing off in his

playing days! -- would have shrugged. Based at Norwich and at

Carrow Road. That was Gerrard smashing into Gunnarsson. He was

blocking him, no doubt about that. Even so... And Gerrard is raise the

arms. Self-defence? I think he is a bit lucky. No real Cardiff

complains apart from Aron Gunnarsson. Look at that. It was a

deliberate block from Gunnarsson. three seasons and a Road, Norwich,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

a lull in the action. The it is just that the back injury. -- it is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

figure through, 89,041 spectators Instinctive, it came at him in a

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

important says, albeit from efforts Wales are still enjoying their

afternoon, at their 4th trip for quite a few of them. Still in good

voice, as are those in red. Thereafter there has got a lot

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

better in the last 20 minutes. -- It is Hudson. A -- some body is

down. Jose Enrique Ponce dead. There is some jeering from the

Liverpool supporters, but I think it is right -- Jose Enrique put it

out. They would wanted the other way. It is the way that thankfully

the game is played at 90% of the distance. He has played -- missed

six games and performed really solidly. He has done really well.

And in the Cup final, there is an added tension. Change of plan.

Malky Mackay is desperately trying to get the message to Kenny Miller.

There is the liveable equalising goal. -- Liverpool. Suarez thought

he had got it. He reacted really quickly, Skrtel. Andy Carroll

played a part as well, used its celebrating the, barging Charlie

came in to try and pick up the rebound. What for? Downing has

thought about it once or twice, this time he has had a go. A decent

strike and a good save. I guess he was active as he chased it. Off-

course you are active. Arguably. one goalkeeper in sparkling form in

the Carling Cup final and Tom Heaton his sparkling this year. --

Or did he slip? Or was that both. That is how Mark Clattenburg saw

red. There is a brush-off hands. Shall We Dance? -- brush of hands.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

A bit of both. But a card a free down straight away. How does Mark

Clattenburg interpret this? Accidental from Turner? It must

have been. A just feeling for it. The way that Agger went down

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

players and I thought he would slotted into someone on the edge of

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

warm ups. He could still -- soon be Gunnarsson long throw for Liverpool

to defend. No, it's not. Taken By really clever bit of football,

it will lolled Liverpool into thinking it was the long throw.

Then turn around the back. He just didn't make contact. -- Ben Turner

around the back. It should have been a goal. It has got the Cardiff

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

fans are on their feet and singing times and the Carling Cup this

season. Twice, they have gone to penalties. -- in that the Carling

goalkeeper. Cardiff were struggling to get back there. The manager was

frantically waving them back to frantically waving them back to

frantically waving them back to Turner. It started reaching Suarez.

A key just threw himself in the way getting in the way of everything

for Cardiff. Liverpool forced to make a change -- change thanks to

injury. Agger coming off and on organising the minute he set foot

on the pitch. Liverpool's hour. If they are not going to get

a win now, that is. I think we all Apologies to those who are pretty

win it than that? Liverpool are arguing amongst themselves. They've

been Charlie Adam left him. It was exactly the player they wanted it

to come to. Great run by Kenny You would absolutely back him to

Joe Mason did score in the first hard to say who has been better,

Gestede. Then holding on to the ball, eating up a bit of time to

make sure Cardiff can't break. Keystone cops, there. That is a

good touch from the raft. -- be at least Macro 4 minutes. --

he tried for a really special finish. Bellamy had made a late run

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

and he could have spread the ball man to finally kill off the hopes

Kenny Miller chance will turn out to be. That was the moment for

Cardiff to win it. Malky Mackay is well used to giving his team at

talk about going another half-an- game and not the occasion and they

have certainly done that. But they in the Premier League. The Premier

League team have had more of the ball and more effort on goal, but

Cardiff have given everything to this final as well. A final that

looks as though it will go another reaction. You can smile and look

incredulous at the same time. it right? There is your answer. Yes.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 72 seconds

Now we look at Mark Clattenburg. Both sets of supporters are in full

voice. They are going to have Duc carry on singing. They will have to

summon up energy levels as well. That is it, full-time in the 2012

Carling Cup final, which is going the distance. Joe Mason in the

first half of for Cardiff, Martin Skrtel with the early second-half

equaliser. But neither team able to find a win as yet. Another 30

minutes of extra time to come. Time for Malky Mackay and Kenny Dalglish

to weave their words of magic. I hope you enjoy the extra time, we

will. Full-time, 1-1. GARY LINEKER: Great stuff,

enthralling, and the Carling Cup are still up for grabs. Give us

another 30 minutes and it could even be decided by the penalty

shoot-out. Gutsy stuff. Unbelievable, a great game to watch.

Only one word to describe the Cardiff performance, grit. When you

think about determination and character, lots of quality, but

playing their heart out when they are basically on their knees. They

are a credit to Malky Mackay. Kenny Miller could have won it in the end,

and in all honesty, the last 20 minutes, when you thought because

Liverpool had so much possession that Cardiff would be struggling,

they were every bit as good as Liverpool. Down on their backs,

getting amass large, it is important to keep concentration and

try and get some energy levels -- a mass large. I felt that the longer

the second half went on and it was still 1-0 and Cardiff hadn't got

the second, they were running a lot without the ball. When Liverpool

equalised, you thought they would win it. We saw Kenny Miller follow-

up, we thought he had done his hamstring and he had got a bit of

treatment and he was a fine! The Cardiff players had to stay in the

game at times but it has been an enthralling final. Just two goals,

one for each side. This was the card of one. It was great play from

Kenny Miller in a whole. One-touch, left but, pass with the right foot.

The wake of the pass was brilliant to Mason and an excellent finish. -

- the weight. Kenny Miller has a look around and says where

everybody is and picks out the past. -- sees where. And this, Skrtel

scores the sand Hudson has been magnificent, just look at him here.

He lets him go, and it is in the back of the neck. Skrtel is making

up for that his poor positioning on the Cardiff goal. We -- for his.

When we thought a liveable by just keep calm and push on, they did

have one or two chances -- when we thought Liverpool would just kick

on and push on, they did have one or two chances but not as many as

we thought. This is Skrtel again, at a little volley. This was a

great chance. A great ball in, Ben Turner at the back post. If that

was a great chance, this one was even better. For me minutes from

time. Look who is trying to tackle him, Andy Carroll. You have got to

score that, it is a fantastic chance. How do you see it going? It

is so tough to call. It will be harsh on whoever. Quality wise,

there has been no different and that is the biggest compliment I

can play Cardiff. There has been nothing between the teams. What

will go in Cardiff's favour is they have been here two or three times

this season in the Cup. Four times. Twice two penalties. I think

liveable will win, and I want them to win, but I don't want Cardiff to

lose -- I think Liverpool will win. Howdy work that one out? -- How do

you work that one out? They had done so much. And he has played

brilliantly. They have given it a lot. Extra time is ready for Guy

and mark. The bad news is, somebody is going

to lose at the end of this, either in the next half-an-hour or on

penalties. You may have seen the graphic coming up to tell you about

the Cardiff changed for extra time. It is one for the headline writers,

Joe Mason has gone off and on has come Fill kiss. Can he see it for

on a season-long loan. They will be glued to this there, as in so many

countries around the world. What an advert for English football, a

packed Wembley, great noise, a cracking game of football and a

team from the second Dear holding their own against a team from the

That looked as though it might creep in and then... It was going

wide but he couldn't take that chance. It was and he couldn't.

Craig Bellamy has just acknowledged cracking start! Brilliant Cardiff

City defending. All in the right area and it is claimed there was a

touch. And there was. They are stretching the game all the time

target like that the whole Dave. -- played the full might himself.

Calling for big breaths and extra effort from his players. The 5th

time they have gone into extra time in this competition this season.

Huddersfield, Leicester, Oxford, way back when in the first round.

And Cardiff starting from scratch. And then Crystal Palace in the