my liverpool fc

On a night of crushing expectations the game wasn't a classic - but for Liverpool (who are the Germany of penalty shoot-outs) it ended well with a perfect set of penalties. Liverpool bossed possession throughout and as the teams tired Liverpool should have won it but for the width of the cross bar and a harsh offside decision. Reina 8/10 Saved well from Drogba in normal time, but was rarely threatened in the match - two crucial shoot-out saves. Finnan 7/10 Another composed and consistent appearance, did not push on as much as Riise but ran Kalou into the ground and a substitution. Carragher 8/10 Until cramp started to hit in extra-time Carragher was imperious and my man of the match - left Agger to contest the first ball most of the time - but after Aggers booking took the flailing Ivorian on for every punted clearance. Agger 8/10 A lovely goal and a combative game from a player that has a big future in a Liverpool shirt - but does he go to the same dodgy tattoo parlour as Bellamy? Riise 7/10 Riise looked even bigger than usual tonight and his rampaging runs down the left often left Zenden as a bit superfluous. good performance. Pennant 7/10 Pennant provided a lot of the penetration down the right flank and effectively eliminated Ashley Cole as an attacking threat. Possibly his best Liverpool performance. Replaced by Alonso in the 78th minute. Gerrard 7/10 Nice training ground free-kick for the goal but Gerrard struggled to influence a game from a deep-lying and quite conservative position. Obviously under orders - Gerrard was very controlled, allowing Liverpool to raid along the flanks. Mascherano 7/10 Sitting alongside Gerrard the Argentinian continued his impressive recent form. Sissoko will be a worried man - replaced by Fowler in anticipation of the shoot-out. Zenden 5/10 Zenden was his usual consistent self - but was less successful than either Riise or Pennant in getting crosses in. Too often a spare part. Kuyt 6/10 Hit the bar and was harshly adjudged to be offside - either of which situations would have decided the game. But like Crouch he struggled to influence a game that was set up for defenders. Crouch 5/10 An ineffectual display that forced Cech into one good save and little else. Replaced by Bellamy at extra-time half-time. Subs Alonso 6/10 Probably unfortunate not to have started instead of Zenden, Alonso had nealry 50 minutes of playing time - but could not change the game. Bellamy and Fowler were thrown on with minutes to play to little effect. Stats Subs Not Used: Padelli, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Gonzalez. Booked: Agger, Zenden. Goals: Agger 22. Antony Melvin 1 May 2007