Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool into their second Champions League final
inside three years by scoring the winning penalty against Chelsea
at Anfield.
With the scores level on aggregate at 1-1 after extra-time, Bolo
Zenden, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt all scored from
the spot while Arjen Robben and Geremi saw their efforts saved by
Jose Reina.
Defender Daniel Agger had levelled the tie at 1-1 by stroking home
Gerrard's 22nd-minute free-kick.
Anfield was the expected cauldron of anticipation and it was no
surprise when Liverpool enjoyed the first effort on goal in the
fifth minute when captain Gerrard let fly from 25 yards.
However, the England midfielder failed to trouble Petr Cech as his
shot drifted past an upright.
Liverpool were clearly intent on levelling the aggregate scores as
quickly as possible but while they began to stretch Chelsea's
defence, their final ball left a lot to be desired.
In the 10th minute John Arne Riise delivered a superb cross from
the left wing only for it fly harmlessly across the face of the
Chelsea six-yard box.
In the 14th minute Frank Lampard set Didier Drogba clear of the
home defence but the Ivorian's attempted cross to Salomon Kalou was
easily dealt with by Agger.
Chelsea were beginning to live dangerously and both Mikel John Obi
and Joe Cole were lucky to escape without a booking for fouls on
Zenden and Gerrard.
The champions paid dearly for Cole's misdemeanour in the 22nd
minute when Agger swept home Gerrard's free-kick to give the home
side the lead on the night and put them level overall.
The second half began with Liverpool attempting to put more
pressure on the visitors but Dirk Kuyt was unceremoniously dumped
on the floor by Paulo Ferreira when he tried to make progress down
the left.
Moments later Gerrard found his way blocked by Ashley Cole as he
attempted to work his way into the penalty area.
Chelsea had resisted the temptation to make any changes in the
interval and were beginning to enjoy more possession.
Joe Cole just overran the ball when he tried to take on the
Liverpool defence and Reina went down to collect before the England
international could move into a shooting position.
In the 54th minute Chelsea won a free-kick on the right wing but
Lampard's punt into the area sailed over everyone.
In the 56th minute Chelsea had Cech to thank when he pulled off a
superb save at the far post.
Pennant turned Claude Makelele inside out before crossing to the
far post where England striker Peter Crouch's downward header was
saved by Cech's legs.
Moments later Kuyt hit the crossbar with a powerful header as
Liverpool increased the pressure on the Londoners.
In the 61st minute Agger was booked for one foul too many on
Drogba, who was left writhing on the deck after a challenge from
behind.
A goal for Chelsea would give Liverpool a mountain to climb but the
champions were more content to knock the ball around than to try
and hurt Liverpool.
But a poor pass from Makelele left Essien with no choice but to
foul Crouch and give Liverpool another opportunity in the 69th
minute.
Once again Crouch was the target and his header was cleared for a
corner by the grateful Essien.
When Pennant swung the ball into the middle it was Drogba who found
the height to clear the danger.
In the 75th minute Chelsea should have equalised when Ashley Cole
got clear on the left flank and crossed into the six-yard box where
Drogba somehow managed to send the ball over the crossbar.
With the aggregate scores locked at 1-1, the match went into
extra-time.
In the 97th minute Mourinho made his first change of the night when
he replaced Joe Cole with Dutch winger Arjen Robben.
Three minutes later Kuyt was adjudged offside when he converted the
rebound after Cech had failed to hold a ferocious drive from Xabi
Alonso.
Five minutes before the end of extra-time Drogba just failed to
connect with a low cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips but Cech
rescued Chelsea when he punched away Kuyt's shot moments
later.
And the game went to penalties with Liverpool keeper Reina the hero
as he saved two penalties.
