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Comment: 1 February 3rd, 2012 by: admin

In the Carling Cup’s 52-year history, Liverpool are the most successful team lifting the silverware seven times. The squad also have the most number of appearances in the finals with 11 and the player with the most finals appearances comes from the Reds in Ian Rush with five.

With that said, this year posts no different for the Reds. With a thrilling victory over Manchester City in the semi-finals, they are now poised to raise their eighth title. Though they have not had success with the Premier League, reaching the finals can easily turn a slightly mediocre season into a very memorable one.

Standing in the Reds’ way, are Championship League’s Cardiff City. They are currently fourth in the standing and are only the second team from the League to reach the Carling Cup finals since 2001.

It is easy to think that Liverpool are the favourites to win this match-up. There are no reasons not to. However, it is also silly to think that Cardiff City do not have a chance. Their threat is as real as the ball is round. After all, the Reds have had their share of humiliating and unbelievable upsets in recent history.

For skeptics, here are some of the upsets in the League Cup where the powerhouse Reds have fallen.

Liverpool 1-2 Grimsby Town
3^rd round
2001

In the 2001-02 season, the Reds were heavily favoured to repeat performance of winning their sixth league cup by beating Birmingham City via penalty shootout in the finals.

Nobody thought that they’d bow out against Division One’s Grimsby Town. What made the upset even better was that it happened at Anfield.

The match started as likely as anyone suspected. Liverpool were out with guns blazing. Strikers Emile Heskey, midfielder Danny Murphy and Gary McAllister were amongst the players who made their presence felt.

Surprisingly enough, the Mariners held on, creating chances of their own in trying to upset the defending champions.

After the end of 90 minutes, neither team found the net – an amazing feat for Grimsby Town. Drama was soon to unfold in extra time.

Ten minutes into the extra period, the home team took the upper hand thanks to a handball inside the penalty box committed by Grimsby Town. McAllister took the spot kick which he slotted home comfortably on the right side of the goal.

As the run of the Mariners looked to have been sealed by the goal, centre-back Marlon Broomes connected with a low volley that bounced once into the net. The strike came at the 113^th minute and everyone turned to believe they could hold on and possibly win it in the penalties.

Phil Jevons had other plans. The former Everton player and self-confessed Liverpool fan had the ball on the right side of the field and took a shot from well beyond the box. The volley went past the goalkeeper’s reach and into the goal. Coming in on the 120^th minute of the match, it sealed the fate of the defending champions and fulfilled the unlikely upset of the competition.

Liverpool 2-2 Northampton Town (Northampton win 4-2 on penalties)
3^rd round
2010

During the third round of the 2010-11 Carling Cup season, Liverpool were faced against League Two’s Northhampton Town. The match was held in Anfield and again, the Reds were heavy favourites to win the match. The Cobblers weren’t expected to cause too many problems being 69 league places below the Reds.

The scene looked familiar, with then-manager Roy Hodgson sending in fringe players to handle the visitors, things didn’t look out of hand. Daniel Agger assisted on Milan Jovanovic’s first goal only nine minutes into the match. The Reds were on their way to conquer the field.

Coming into the second half, Northampton started to look menacing and scored in the 56^th Billy McKay was able to level the score after a left-footed touch that saw the back of the net.

The score stayed the same after regular time, and extra time was needed.

The visitors, who were three divisions lower than the hosts, took a surprise lead in extra time when Michael Jacobs found the ball amongst the chaos and put Northampton ahead nine minutes into extra time.

Liverpool fought valiantly, with the help of David Ngog who scored with four minutes left in extra time.

After the period, the match was tied 2-2 and a penalty shootout was needed to decide the victor.

The rain was already pouring and the pressure was bearing down on the players of both teams. Town striker Stephen Guinan’s missed spot kick failed to give the visitors the lead. Unable to capitalize, Ngog’s shot flew wide as well. The teams took turns in scoring the next five penalties until Northampton led 3-2.

Liverpool’s Nathan Eccleston had a chance to tie it but hit the crossbar to deny him the goal.

With a chance to win it, Abdul Osman took to the spot and sent the Reds’ goalkeeper Brad Jones the opposite way to give the Cobblers the 4-2 penalty win – and eliminating the Premier League heavyweights.

2012: ?

Leading up to their match against Cardiff City, it looks like Liverpool have found their stride. They’ve been pulling off big wins against proven clubs and are starting to look confident.

They recently just booted off Manchester City and United from the League Cup and FA Cup, respectively.

With their recent form, they should handle a Championship League club with no incidents.

It’s just that the Reds have found a problem defeating teams that they should have defeated.

As proof, their last loss in the Premier League came against the Bolton Wanderers. Constantly battling to stay on top of the drop zone, the Wanderers pulled off an impressive 3-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium. Nobody expected the pummeling that the Reds went through.

Liverpool’s lack of ability to score goals has also led to disappointing draws against Wigan Athletic, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland. While it may be understandable that they go through dry spells when visiting other stadiums, they’ve had a lot of draws while playing at Anfield. These are matches that have come back to haunt the Reds and killed their hopes to challenge for this year’s Premier League title.

With the upcoming Carling Cup finals, it is certain that Liverpool are not taking their tie with Cardiff City on 26 February lightly. This will only serve as a reminder that as easy as the match may be in their favour, fate may play its tricky role and give the small squads another time under the limelight.

The Reds have opened the door for glory this season; their delivery will spell the difference if they slam the door shut on themselves one more time.

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