´Little´ Liverpool reach Champions League final

AFP - 1 May 2007 23:31

Liverpool celebrate after Daniel Agger(L) scored against Chelsea during their European Champions League semi-final second-leg clash in Liverpool. Liverpool won on penalty kicks after the two teams were tied 1-1 on aggregate after extra time.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Five-time champions Liverpool reached the Champions League final here on Tuesday after beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.

Liverpool had levelled the clash through Daniel Agger in the 22nd minute - Chelsea won the first leg 1-0 - while the hosts had a goal by Dirk Kuyt ruled out in the first-half of extra-time for offside.

Kuyt, though, had the last laugh as he rifled home the decisive penalty after Pepe Reina had saved two of Chelsea's penalties by Arjen Robben and Geremi.

For inspirational captain Steven 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," said Gerrard.

"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."

Kuyt, who had said on Sunday that they regarded Mourinho as a laughing stock in the Liverpool dressing room because of his increasingly laughable comments, said it was almost like a dream.

"It is very special for me, my first final in my first year at Liverpool," said the Dutch international striker.

"We believed in it. Pepe was marvellous."

Reina, who had also been the hero in Liverpool's shootout 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.

Liverpool will meet either AC Milan or Manchester United in the final on May 23 in Athens.