Cardiff looms large for Liverpool

Michael Owen struck in extra time to guide Liverpool FC into the English League Cup final tonight with a 2-0 success at Anfield against Sheffield United FC which secured a 3-2 win on aggregate.

Early lead
Liverpool, who lost the away leg at Bramall Lane 2-1, took a ninth-minute lead through Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf but needed Owen's 107th-minute strike to give them some breathing space. The first division side could have taken the game to penalties by reducing arrears to 2-1 on the night but Gérard Houllier's side stood firm.

Six-times winners
The most successful club in the history of the competition, having won six of the nine finals they have appeared in, Liverpool will meet either holders Blackburn Rovers FC or Manchester United FC at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 2 March. Blackburn are favourites to progress tomorrow night after drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford in the first leg. The winners of the competition will qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Courageous visitors
Liverpool fully deserved their trip to Wales after keeping a courageous visiting side under control for most of the game. Trailing after the first leg, the Premiership club's prayer for an early goal was soon answered - Diouf making no mistake with a crisp 20-metre drive from Emile Heskey's short pass.

Keeper booked
The remainder of normal time saw both sides pushing forward in search of the goal which would have won the tie inside 90 minutes. United went close late on after goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was booked for handling outside the area, Tommy Mooney's resulting free-kick deflecting narrowly wide.

Owen seals it
Liverpool restored their grip on the game in extra time and when Owen raced away on the break to tuck home Steven Gerrard's through ball, the outcome was never in doubt. Houllier will want to see the victory as a further sign that a frustrating season is finally getting back on track - three days after Liverpool registered their first league win in 12 games at Southampton FC.