Liverpool set sights on new era of silverware

Liverpool have already set their sights on launching a new era of silverware at Anfield after finally ending a six-year wait for a trophy by beating Cardiff at Wembley.

The club famously won 26 major trophies during the 1970s and 80s as they dominated English football, a haul that included 11 league titles and four European Cups.

Even the most ardent Liverpool fan would admit a Carling Cup hardly rates alongside those illustrious prizes; but it’s importance in terms of starting a new story under new owners and new management cannot be overlooked.

“It was so important to get the first one and hopefully now we can push on,” said goalscorer Dirk Kuyt, who came off the bench to make it 2-1 before Cardiff scored a late equaliser to force penalties.

“It’s a big trophy for us and now we want to win more. I came to Liverpool to win trophies and I’ve been here nearly six years waiting for this one. I’ve lost in the final of the Champions League and in the World Cup final too so to win today is big for me.”

Captain Steven Gerrard was delighted to lift his first trophy since the FA Cup of 2006 and his first at Wembley; but was still looking ahead, saying: “We won’t accept just this, we need more, we want more.”

The trophy was won thanks to a missed penalty from Gerrard’s cousin Anthony Gerrard and he was quick to console his relative at the final whistle. He said: “It’s always cruel when it comes to penalties, but there has to be a loser.

“It was always going to be that one of us was sad and one celebrating. I’ve got mixed emotions. Obviously I’m delighted to win the cup for our supporters, but I feel for Anthony and Cardiff.

“It doesn’t matter what I say to him — he’s going to be down. I’ll be there for him and all the family will be behind him.”

Manager Kenny Dalglish is more used to winning trophies both as a player and as a coach; and he was quick to promise fans it will not be the last.

“I think everyone plays football for the trophies. This is the first one and I hope there will be more and more,” he said.

“The idea six years ago was not to go six years without winning a trophy. We have won it and we want to enjoy it. It gives you a flavour to come back and do it again. The only reason we are here is because every member of the squad has contributed to winning this trophy.

“We are where we are because of the work everyone has done, not just me. The owners, the supporters, the players, everyone has chipped in. We have said that all along. The closer we are, the stronger we will be together. Everybody has worked as hard as they possibly could to move the club forward. Although we have won something today, that is not us finished. We don’t want to stop here, we want to keep going.”

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay was happy with his team despite defeat, saying: “In extra time the way we came back... I’m so proud of them, so very, very proud of them. For most of them it’s the first time they’ve been anywhere near something like this. They are very young. The emotions are running through them.

“You’ve got two teams who have put everything into the game today and I’m very proud of my team.”