Keeper Simon Mignolet the hero as Liverpool oust Stoke in League Cup semi-final penalty drama
Keeper Simon Mignolet proved the shootout hero as Liverpool reached the League Cup final on penalties after a gripping last-four, second-leg tie at Anfield ended 1-1 on aggregate on Tuesday.
Mignolet saved twice in the shootout, including a brilliant stop to deny Marc Muniesa in sudden death, which allowed Joe Allen to stroke home the decisive spotkick and send Liverpool to Wembley.
It was a fortunate end to an uncomfortable evening for the hosts, who were under pressure for much of the encounter which ended 1-0 to Stoke City after extra time.
It was great, the atmosphere was special. It was a good game for my side against a difficult side to play
Stoke took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Marko Arnautovic swept the ball home from an offside position but the assistant’s flag stayed down and the goal was allowed to stand.
Liverpool struggled to breakdown a resolute Stoke defence and after neither side could add to the scoring for the remainder of the match, it went to penalties and Allen’s effort gave the hosts a 6-5 win in the shootout.
It was a thrilling end for Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp who could not bare to watch as Allen’s final penalty hit the net.
“It was great, the atmosphere was special,” the German told Sky Sports. “It was a good game for my side against a difficult side to play.”