Bellamy Leads Liverpool To Wembley

It’s taken us five years, but we are back we are back in a final and at the new Wembley for the first time.  This was a victory that was deserved, with chances created a plenty and Craig Bellamy showing just what a world class talent is.  He ran his heart and gave the Man City central defenders a torrid time, giving a lesson to all and sundry just how to lead the line.

The atmosphere was back to what one would  expect of the Anfield faithful.  They were proactive and reactive and helped raise the fervour to a level which pushed the team to match our expectation levels.

This is not the time to complain about missed chances, because Joe Hart was truly magnificent, he pulled off six wonderful saves that on another day the game would have been over before half-time.  The manager’s criticism post Bolton in the media and in the programme notes, seemed to have the desired effect and fire up the players, so much so that Liverpool were on top from the very first minute.  Stevie Gerrard playing in a deeper lying role endeavouring to counter the threat of the sublimely talented David Silva showed his versatility by playing a holding role and controlling the tempo of Liverpool’s play.

Liverpool will be disappointed with the time and space given to De Jong allowing him to put City ahead from 25 yards.  But, we were never fighting a fully fledged rear guard action as such and while Man City had plenty of possession, we fully deserved to equalise having piled on the pressure.  Gerrard’s penalty as it had been in the first leg was decisive and to the same side to boot.

Man City showed their class, working an opportunity to fashion a chance for Dzeko to tap home from inside the box.  Dirk Kuyt, having his most influential game of the season, supported Bellamy manfully, and the two combined and in turned Bellamy with the galloping Glen Johnson who returned the favour Bellamy.  His first touch was out of the Dalglish book of creativity and allowed Bellamy to make space to slide the ball exquisitely into the far post.

Dalglish's management of Craig Bellamy should be applauded. With the mileage stored in his legs over the season, he was able to dip in the well twice within the space of the week for Bellamy to give a top performance against Bolton and a stunning performance tonight to take us through to Wembley for the first time in sixteen years.

Kop Post Man of The Match: Craig Bellamy – Makes you wish he was five years younger!

Final whistle celebrations

Liverpool v Man City (Semi-Final 2nd Leg)