Season 2011/12 - Final

Kuyt: It was incredible
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, who came off the bench and thought he had scored the winner in extra time, said: "It was incredible, an incredible day. I was very disappointed not to play longer than 15 minutes but I have to put that aside. I'm so happy to have scored the goal. The most important thing was we kept believing and in the end I think we deserved this trophy."

Heartbreak and ecstasy for Gerrard family
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose cousin Anthony missed the decisive spotkick, 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."

Mackay proud of Cardiff
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay was proud of his team, who pushed Premier League Liverpool all the way. He said: "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."

Carling Cup final galleries
Relive the dramatic 2012 Carling Cup final in our photo gallery. Features promotional pics, pre-match shots, match action and all the celebrations! CHECK IT OUT!

Liverpool win Carling Cup
Liverpool needed penalties to defeat plucky Cardiff City in the 2012 Carling Cup final at Wembley. Joe Mason fired the Welshmen into a surprise lead against the run of play, before Martin Skrtel levelled after half time. The game went to extra time and substitute Dirk Kuyt looked to have won it for Liverpool when he lashed home, only for Ben Turner to scramble the ball home from a corner with just two minutes left. Penalties followed, and it was Anthony Gerrard who missed the decisive spot kick as Liverpool prevailed 3-2 after the shootout.

Legends of the game interviews
Carling sat down for a quick chat with footballing legends Ian Rush and Andy Legg ahead of Sunday's Carling Cup final. CLICK HERE

Carling Cup Fans' Final Say
Want to have your say at the Carling Cup final? We're giving you the chance to choose messages of support for the pitch-side boards, vote for the player who's having the best game, call up pictures on to the big screen plus lots more! CLICK HERE

Dalglish - Wembley final means a lot
Kenny Dalglish reckons a place in the Carling Cup final is just reward for treating the competition with respect, and it marks Liverpool's first appearance at Wembley since 1996. Dalglish said: "It means a lot to myself but more importantly it means a lot to a lot of people who have had to endure a few years when we've not been to Wembley."

Whittingham believes in cup upset
Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham believes they can upset the odds and beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup final. He said: "It’s a cup game, anything could happen in a cup game. Everything gets put aside, even things like what has been going on in the league. It’s a fresh start as soon as that whistle goes. But we are not going there to make up the numbers, we are going there to win the game and hopefully we can."

Gerrard fulfils boyhood dream
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can't wait to fulfil a boyhood dream and lead his team out at Wembley on Sunday. He said: "Every time I played for Liverpool at Cardiff and led the team out there, there was a bit of me thinking 'if only this was Wembley'. When growing up as a kid, I dreamed about playing in Cup finals at Wembley. Then when I became captain of Liverpool, I dreamed about leading the team out there."

Adam wants to win trophies
Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam wants Sunday's Carling Cup final to be the springboard to more success for the Anfield club. He said: "We want to win trophies. Getting the opportunity to do it at Wembley will be nice, and we know if we play as well as we can on the day we'll have a chance of winning the trophy."

Heaton winning fitness race
Cardiff goalkeeper Tom Heaton is winning his battle to overcome an ankle injury for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley. He said: "I've had a slight knock with my ankle a couple of weeks ago but I've trained properly this morning so I'm back to 100% thankfully. It was a bit worrying at the time but... I'm available for selection."

Time is right for Carroll
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll believes he is hitting form at the right time, ahead of Sunday's final at Wembley. He said: "I feel like I am doing well. I have just started scoring goals and I am doing well in games. I think it has all come together. It is a massive game and I think all the lads are looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get the win. I have never been to a cup final. That is all I am looking forward to, getting there. It is a great feeling and hopefully we can win it."

Extra tickets for Cardiff
Cardiff City have been given an extra 1,500 tickets for Sunday's Carling Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley. They had already been allocated 31,000 tickets for the game, which sees the first appearance by a Welsh club in the Carling Cup final.

Perfect preparation for Reds
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says their 6-1 win over Brighton was the perfect way to prepare for the Carling Cup Final against Cardiff. He said: "It's nice to win convincingly - it's perfect before Wembley next week."

Downing hopes to have earned final place
Stewart Downing is hoping his eye-catching performance in the 6-1 thrashing of Brighton will earn him a place in Liverpool FC's side for the Carling Cup final against Cardiff City. He said: "Competition for places is tough here. I'm sure it's great for the manager and it gives him a headache. We have got options all over the park, everyone wants to play in the starting XI, and it's good for the club. We've got a good week to prepare for the Carling Cup final now. We will prepare well and do everything right."

Cardiff deserve final reward
Malky Mackay believes Cardiff's Wembley date with Liverpool is just reward for the work put in behind the scenes by his players and backroom staff in South Wales over the last nine months. He said: "You look all the way through the competition and anyone that's paid a penny for a ticket for the Carling Cup this year - from Oxford where we had 10 players missing through international duty and we had three of our under 18s on the bench, right through to extra-time winners to penalty kicks - shows the character and spirit that this team has got."

Skrtel wants first trophy
Martin Skrtel insists Liverpool are determined to win both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup as they chase a domestic double. He said: "I think everybody plays football to win medals and trophies. Now we have a big final coming up (against Cardiff City) and I have a chance to win my first trophy with Liverpool."

Hudson fighting fit for final
Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson is winning his battle to be fit for the Carling Cup final. Boss Malky Mackay said: "Mark's calf injury isn't serious — it's enough for him to miss another week or so."

Cardiff not distracted by final, says Mackay
Malky Mackay insists Cardiff City’s Carling Cup dream is not affecting their league form. The Bluebirds have gone three matches without a win – Southampton, Blackpool and Leicester – since reaching Wembley. Mackay said: “I must have been asked that Wembley question at least 100 times, but the players are focused on what is right in front of them. We haven’t played well in our last two matches, but that is not connected to the final."

Cardiff wobbling ahead of Wembley date
Goalkeeper David Marshall insists Cardiff are not suffering a Wembley wobble, despite failing to win since booking their Carling Cup final place against Liverpool. "We have to show that it’s no more than just a coincidence we have lost a couple of matches with the final coming up."

Clattenburg appointed as final ref
Mark Clattenburg is to referee Liverpool's Carling Cup clash with Cardiff City at Wembley later this month. The FA confirmed that the 36-year-old, from County Durham, had been appointed to take charge of what will be his first major final. Clattenburg will be assisted by Simon Beck of Bedfordshire and Mick McDonough of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The fourth official will be Anthony Taylor from Cheshire.

Bellamy relishing final emotion
Craig Bellamy is relishing an emotional reunion with his former club Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final. He was man of the match in the semi-final victory over Manchester City, and he said: "It couldn’t be a better final for me. It’s funny how football can work out at times. To get to the final is big for us."

Holloway: Cardiff win would be fantastic
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway is desperate to see Cardiff City beat Liverpool at Wembley and win the Carling Cup. The Seasiders recently beat Cardiff 3-1 in the league, but Holloway said: "They deserved to win their Carling Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace and I am looking forward to watching the final. It would be fantastic if Cardiff win the trophy. This is a growing club and they have a clever manager in Malky Mackay."

Shelvey wants final place
Young midfielder Jonjo Shelvey wants to break into Liverpool's first team for their Carling Cup final at Wembley. He told Liverpool's club website: "I want to try and play in the FA Cup against Brighton and hopefully be a part of the Carling Cup final. That would be lovely and something I could tell my grandkids about when I have them in the future!" Shelvey spent the early part of the season on loan at Championship club Blackpool.

Shirt amnesty for Cardiff-based Liverpool fans
South Wales fans who support Liverpool are being encouraged to exchange their red shirts for the famous royal blue of Cardiff City. In an innovative scheme, Cardiff City are using the Carling Cup final with Liverpool on February 26 to win over supporters backing major Premier League teams instead of the Bluebirds. Cardiff City said fans with Liverpool shirts can exchange them for Bluebirds tops until Friday, February 10. The offer is only available at the Cardiff City Stadium superstore. They will receive a £12 discount off the price of the 2011-12 Cardiff City home replica shirt. All of the Liverpool shirts collected will then be given to local children’s charities in the Liverpool area.

Gerrard delighted by Wembley prospect
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is delighted at the prospect of leading out his side at Wembley, after they saw off Manchester City in the semi-finals. The England midfielder said: "We're delighted to go to Wembley. It's been too long for a major cup final for this club so I'm really happy for our supporters. We had a lot of cup finals at Cardiff, but it's extra special going to Wembley. I've been dreaming of doing it for Liverpool and now that it's here I'm really looking forward to it, but there are a lot of big games before that."

Spearing aims for Wembley place
Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing wants to secure a regular first team place ahead of the Carling Cup Final. He has just returned to the squad following injury and has set his sights on Wembley. He said: "There is a lot of competition in the club. We're known worldwide and anyone would love to come and play for us, so I've got to keep on my toes and keep fighting to get that place. I've got to nail it down, get the games going and try to get that Carling Cup final place."