Five-time champions Liverpool reached the Champions League final on Tuesday after beating Chelsea 4-1 on penalties after the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool had levelled the clash through Daniel Agger in the 22nd minute -- Chelsea won the first leg 1-0 -- while the hosts had a goal by Dirk Kuyt ruled out in the first-half of extra-time for offside.
Kuyt, though, had the last laugh as he rifled home the decisive penalty after Pepe Reina had saved penalties from Chelsea's Arjen Robben and Geremi.
PHOTO: AP
For inspirational captain Steven Gerrard it was a nice way to respond to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's remarks that Liverpool were a `little' side.
"Jose Mourinho has been a credit to English football," said Gerrard. "However he makes us laugh some times. It was a bit disrespectful to call us a little club, yeah a little club that has reached two European Cup finals in three years."
Mourinho, whose position at the club has been linked to success in the Champions League, refused to accept that his team had been beaten by the better side -- even though Liverpool hit the bar through Kuyt, and saw two great efforts saved by Petr Cech.
"There are not many words to be said at this moment, it is the kind of moment when everybody tries to be strong," said the Portuguese manager, who won the Champions League with Porto in 2004.
"They [the Chelsea players] have a lot of reasons to be proud of themselves," Mourinho said. "We were the best team even against a team that just plays for the Champions League. We were the only side who tried to win over 90 to 120 minutes."
Understated
Benitez, who guided Liverpool to victory two years ago, winning on penalties over AC Milan after coming back from 3-0 down, was typically understated.
"Yes every player and supporter were heroes. We were confident because we had players who practice penalties every session, at least three of them," he said.
Kuyt, who had said on Sunday that they regarded Mourinho as a laughing stock in the Liverpool dressing room because of his increasingly laughable comments, said it was almost like a dream.
"It is very special for me, my first final in my first year at Liverpool," said the Dutch international striker.
Reina, who was also the hero in Liverpool's shootout victory over West Ham in last season's FA Cup final saving three of the four penalties, was typically modest.
"It was an important win. We've reached the last step and now we must climb it," he said.
Gerrard, though, paid the Spanish 'keeper a rich compliment.
"Pepe is the best goalkeeper in the world. I am not just saying it because he is standing there. We knew all about him before he came here and his ability at saving penalties," said Gerrard.
Gerrard, who was ice cool in taking his penalty, said the victory was right up there with the most memorable nights at Anfield.
"It is obviously one of the best. To go and do it again after being a goal down is special. The atmosphere helped, as did the manager's tactics," he said. "[You have] got to give the players credit, we stepped over the line and fought for every ball together."
Liverpool will meet either AC Milan or Manchester United in the final on May 23 in Athens.
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