Last Updated at 6:47 pm, February 26th 2012

1. Liverpool win the Carling Cup 3-2 on penalties ater a dramatic afternoon at Wembley.

2. Cardiff Penalty 5: Anthony Gerrard misses Liverpool 3-2

3. Liverpool Penalty 5: Johnson scores Liverpool 3-2

4. Cardiff Penalty 4: Whittingham scores 2-2

5. Liverpool Penalty 4: Downing scores Liverpool 2-1

6. Cardiff penalty 3: Gestede misses 1-1

7. Liverpool Penalty 3: Kuyt scores 1-1

8. Cardiff Penalty 2: Cowie scores 1-0 Cardiff

9. Liverpool Penalty 2: Adam misses 0-0

10. Cardiff Penalty 1: Miller misses 0-0

11. Liverpool Penalty 1: Gerrard misses 0-0

12. 120+1

    Just a minute to be added on and Liverpool on the attack. But that is it and we go to penalties. What drama!

13. 120

    Feeble centre from Downing but Liverpool get another chance from the other side. Gunnarsson smashes the ball clear from hois own area.

14. 119

    Turner goes in the book for some excessive goal celebrations. Late corner now to Liverpool

15. 118

    Another corner comes in from the right and this time the Bluebirds can scramble it home as Turner pokes in from close range beyond the lunge of Kuyt.

16. 118

    GOAL CARDIFF !!!!

17. 117

    Long throw into the Liverpool box forces a second Cardiif corner. It drops in the six-yard box and somehow it is cleared off the line.

18. 116

    Reina punches the centre clear and to safety.

19. 115

    Great cross from the right by Gunnarsson and Skrtel once again called into action to head clear. Corner to Cardiff.

20. 114

    Gestede down on the ground and the game is halted.

21. 114

    Adam tries to release Bellamy down the left as he has plenty of space to run into but the pass is overhit and goes out.

22. 113

    Gunnarsson is in big trouble and can barely kick the ball but his team-mates insist on passing him the ball.

23. 112

    Good stretch from Turner to cross from the left and Skrtel has to clear for a Cardiff throw.

24. 110

    The Fields Of Athenry rings around Wembley as Gunnarsson goes down with what looks like cramp. He is not moving very freely.

25. 108

    Kuyt has popped up to give Liverpool the lead. His fresh legs take him to the edge of the Cardiff area and a shooting attempt. His effort is poor but it bounces back to him and fires home the rebound from the edge of the box and past a despairing Heaton.

26. 108

    GOAL LIVERPOOL !!!!

27. 107

    Kuyt gets away from the tumbling Taylor on the right and drills in a great cross. It just gets stuck under the feet of Suarezand he can't get his shot away.

28. 106

    Early throw down the right for Liverpool deep in the Cardiff half. Darcy Blake on for the Bluebirds and McNaughton jogs off.

29. 106

    Liverpool kick-off again.

30. 105+1

    That is the whistle and we have 15 minutes left before penalties.

31. 105+1

    Johnson teed up again just outside the Cardiff box but he just drags his effort wide ot the post.

32. 105

    There will be one added minute in the first period of extra time.

33. 104

    Good break from Liverpool as Bellamy and Kuyt link up well. The former gets the ball back, cuts onto his right side in the Cardiff box and then fires just over the bar.

34. 103

    Downing delivers as Carroll makes a good effort and his header goes just wide. That is his final contribution and the big striker is off and Dirk Kuyt is on.

35. 103

    Corner for Liverpool on the right.

36. 102

    Kiss has gone in the book for his earlier rash tackle on Bellamy.

37. 101

    Downing crosses this time from the right and has no more luck as McNaughton lets it sail over his head and behind for a goal-kick.

38. 100

    Downing sets up for a shot from outside the Cardiff box but slices across it badly.

39. 99

    Hudson off and hands the armband to Whittingham. Gerrard's cousin Anthony Gerrard on in his place in the centre of defence.

40. 98

    Good run by Kiss towards the Liverpool box but his shot lacks convicition. He then gives away a free-kick as he clides right through Bellamy.

41. 97

    Enrique has the chance to cross from the left but his effort is much to close to Heaton and he gathers.

42. 96

    Cardiff win a throw right on halfway then a free-kick to be taken by Whittingham. Good swirling free-kick is delivered into the box and Reina collects well.

43. 94

    Foul on Suarez about 40 yards from the Cardiff goal. Gerrard chips into the area and Suarez pokes it toward goal but is already whistled for offside.

44. 94

    Good ball in from the left as Cardiff try to press but Skrtel heads away well to clear his lines.

45. 93

    Another wild shot from Gerrard and his radar has not been zoned in so far this afternoon.

46. 92

    Early chance for Suarez as he forces Heaton to parry behind for a corner. The former then heads goalward from the centre and Taylor clears off the goal-line.

47. 91

    Goalscorer Mason has been replaced by Filip Kiss as Cardiff get the match restarted.

48. A fast update from Sky Bet ahead of the extra-time - Liverpool 10-11, Cardiff 6-1 and 5-4 we go to a penalty shootout.

49. 90+4

    That is it and we are into extra time here.

50. 90+4

    Final few seconds left. Liverpool in possession.

51. 90+3

    Long punt forward by Reina finds Suarez. Turner is up to the challenge as he forces him wide and then wins a goal-kick.

52. 90+2

    Another Liverpool corner on the right. It is taken short by Downing to Johnson. He tees up Gerrard who fires well over from 20 yards.

53. 90+1

    There will be four aded minutes. Suarez finds himself clear on a goal after a mix-up at the back but once again waits too long. His attempt then floats over the Cardiff goal.

54. 90

    Carragher fouls Gestede on halfway and a free-kick to Cardiff.

55. 89

    On replay, Carroll does a great job forcing Miller to just rush his attempt on goal.

56. 88

    Miller misses a superb chance to win it for Cardiff. His first tocuh is superb 10 yards from goal after a great ball from Cowie but then he blazes over the bar going for power rather than picking a spot.

57. 87

    There is no danger from the corner once play restarts and Heaton takes a goal-kick.

58. 87

    Liverpool win another corner after Johnson's crosshot is deflected behind. Agger goes off and Jamie Carragher is on for Liverpool.

59. 85

    Cardiff are once again quick to the second ball but this time Miller's cross is over the head of Gestede. Adam then shoots from just outside the Cardiff box at the other end but Heaton is up to the task again.

60. 85

    A tired Miller breaks to halfway and has to wait for support. Nice nutmeg on Johnson though.

61. 83

    Some probing from Cardiff down the left wins a throw. It is taken short, the cross is delivered and Turner should have done better with his header from five yards.

62. 82

    A good run from Downing sets up Suarez, who dallies and crosses rather than shoots. He does win a Liverpool corner though. The passage of play ends with Johnson shooting wide from a long way out.

63. 81

    Another long throw from Gunnarsson and it is flicked on into a dangerous area before the Liverpool box is cleared.

64. 80

    Whittingham fires the free-kick straight into the Liverpool wall.

65. 79

    Downing pushes Miller just outside the Liverpool area - it looks more like he slipped and this is a good sight of goal for cardiff.

66. 78

    Downing has looked dangerous all afternoon and his shot from 25 yards is well saved low to his left by Heaton.

67. 76

    Bellamy cuts the ball back towards Carroll in the Cardiff box but the defenders are back in numbers. Hudson goes down with a bout of cramp.

68. 76

    Great control by Whittingham to bring the ball out of the sky. He hits a good pass towards Miller but the striker can't control.

69. 75

    Bellamy lifts the ball into the area and it is met by Carroll, who once again sees his header go over the bar.

70. 73

    Turner forced to concede another corner to Liverpool. It is hit deep by Adam, headed back by Bellamy and then a smart volley from Skrtel is well saved by Heaton.

71. 72

    Gunnarsson straight back into the action after a quick check-up on the sidelines.

72. 70

    Suarez protesting that he has been fouled on the edge of the Cardiff box but the referee waves play on. Gunnarsson down injured with a head issue and the game comes to a halt. He takes an accidental crack in the face from Gerrard.

73. 68

    Downing causes more trouble on the right and his cross bounces behind for a corner. Downing has another chance to centre from inside the Cardiff box but Whittingham gets in the way and wins his side a goal-kick to relieve the pressure.

74. 67

    Downing has moved to the right and he crosses low into the Cardiff box but Carroll can't move quickly enough to the centre.

75. 66

    Lovely jinking run from Suarez to the byline but there is no-one there in a red shirt for the pullback. Johnson then releases Bellamy and he forces a corner off Heaton.

76. 65

    Cardiff respond with a Mason shot from just inside the Liverpool box which Reina gets down to save.

77. 64

    Carroll heads on towards Suarez but the latter is flagged for offside.

78. 64

    Long ball forward from Adam seeks out Suarez but it is too strong and goes through to Heaton.

79. 62

    The Reds fans in good voice so what will be the response of Cardiff after defending so well in the game?

80. 60

    Skrtel gets his side level after the corner. He pounces on the loose ball and fires home after a Suarez header from close range comes back off the post.

81. 60

    GOAL LIVERPOOL !!!

82. 60

    Turner forced to conceded a Liverpool corner on the right.

83. 59

    Good cross from the left by Whittingham but the ball flashes in front of Gestede and he can't control.

84. 58

    Bellamy comes on to end Henderson's torment.

85. 57

    Suarez tears into the Cardiff box and is just about to shoot when McNaughton gets back with a fantastic late tackle. Agger then loops his header from the corner into the hands of Heaton.

86. 55

    Long throw from Gunnarsson means Reina has to punch clear. The ball is headed back into the danger area with Turner making a challenge - it drops dangerously but Turner can't locate it and Reina gathers.

87. 54

    Cowie tries to slip the ball around Skrtel and there is an appeal for handball as the latter makes his challenge just outside hos own area.

88. 53

    Cardiff throw taken to Miller but he manages to bisect two team-mates and kicks to ball straight out to give Liverpool a go.

89. 52

    Henderson goes into the book for a very late tackle on Mason.

90. 51

    The pressure is all on the Cardiff goal but some more excellent defending from Turner gets the ball away. But another Liverpool corner on the way.

91. 50

    Hudson swishes and misses an intended clearance and Suarez is onto the loose ball like a shot. His cross is palmed clear by Heaton but there is no Liverpool player to fire home from close range.

92. 50

    Gerrard on the rampage again but good work from Andy Taylor sees him get in a telling tackle.

93. 48

    Don Cowie nearly sets up Miller at the other end but the red shirts ar there to clear the ball. Whittingham then realeases Cowie, who cleverly sets up Miller once more on the edge of the area but his shot is off target.

94. 47

    Miller fouls Enrique and Liverpool have an early chance to get some pressure on the Cardiff goal. Gerrard delivers but the free-kick is cleared then the hapless Henderson fires well wide.

95. 46

    Early break down the left by owning but McNaughton keeps him in check and then wins a throw-in for Cardiff.

96. 46

    Liverpool get the second period started.No changes to either line-up.

97. A quick half-time word from Kevin Atkinson: "Just a quickie regarding Kenny's team and how disappointed i am to see the Welsh man on the bench. C'mon, Kenny, you cant tell me Downing has deserved a cup final place before Craig Bellamy. Hes been our best player by far."

98. Cardiff have the upper hand and Sky Bet make the Bluebirds 2-1 for victory with Liverpool 6-4 and the draw 7-4. Suarez is 7-2 to score the next goal with Carroll 9-2. Miller is 20-1 to make it 2-0 for Cardiff and Mason 25s with Sky Bet to find the target next.

99. 45+2

    That is it and we have reached the break.

100. 45+1

     Cardiif launch their first attack in a some time but Mason's looping cross from the right is easy picking for Reina despite Gestede's best efforts.

101. 45

     Another two attempts by Gerrard as Liverpool finish the half strongly. There will be one added minute.

102. 44

     Gerard plays a beautiful ball into the area but Agger can only head straight at Heaton from three yards - a fraction either side and it would be 1-1.

103. 43

     Adam fouled by Gunnarsson 35 yards out and Liverpool have a chance to create something late in the half.

104. 43

     Clever turn by Suarez on the edge of the Cardiff box but the shot he fires at Heaton is saved to his left.

105. 42

     Enrique picks out Suarez 12 yards from goal and he turns into space but is then crowded out as he tries to find a team-mate.

106. 41

     Peter Whittingham fires in a free-kick from the left near the corner spot but it is easy for Reina to collect.

107. 39

     Downing turns McNaughton inside out on the left and delivers a lovely cross only for Henderson to take a hopeless fresh air shot. Gerrard picks up the loose ball only to fire wide.

108. 38

     Great defending again by Cardiff and Hudson as Suarez and Carroll nearly link up six yards out but the latter is foiled as he tries to pull the trigger.

109. 37

     Long diagonal pass from Gerrard looks for Suarez down the left but the ball is way too strong and goes out for a cardiff throw.

110. 35

     Gerrard delivers the corner and Heaton punches clear. Skrtel then challenges for the loose ball on the edge of the area but his foot is high and Cardiff can clear with a free-kick.

111. 35

     Another corner on the left for Liverpool.

112. 34

     Gestede causing more problems for Liverpool on the edge of their box and is unlucky not to get the ball out from under his feet and crerate an opening.

113. 33

     Craig Bellamy warming up on the sidelines.

114. 32

     Appeal for a handball by the Liverpool players after a cross from the right into the Cardiff area. No luck there or for Adam, who fires a shot wide of the target.

115. 31

     Enrique leads the latest Liverpool attack down the left. He cuts back onto his weaker right foot and curls his shot from the edge of the area over the bar.

116. 30

     Long throw from Gunnarsson coming up from the left and he laucnhes into the Liverpool area - Carroll back to head clear.

117. 29

     Suarez lay-off in the direction of Carroll is not accurate enough and the ball rolls harmlessly through to Heaton.

118. 28

     Gestede and Daniel Agger battle for the ball on halfway with the former giving Agger's jersey a tug and it is a Liverpool free-kick.

119. 27

     Mason chases a ball over the top again into the Liverpool area but it has just too much pace and Reina gathers.

120. 25

     Great burst of pace down the left by Downing and he then finds Enrique. Suarez crosses to Carroll, who heads back out of the Cardiff area and another attack is swamped by a host of blue shirts.

121. 24

     Ball breaks to Carroll on the edge of the Cardiff area on his favoured left foot but he blazes wildly over the bar.

122. 23

     Downing crosses from the left but once again the Cardiff defence can clear. Suarez then shows lovely skill to wriggle away from Aron Gunnarsson but McNaughton gets back to make a challenge and it is a cardiff goal-kick.

123. 21

     Liverpool go in search of the quick equaliser with Suarez involved on a couple of occasions but he can't get into the Cardiff penalty area.

124. 19

     Skrtel clears but not very far so Miller ends up with the ball on the edge of the Liverpool area. He threads a beautiful ball beyond Luis Enrique and Joe Mason fires his shot across Pepe Reina and into the back of the net.

125. 19

     GOAL CARDIFF !!!

126. 18

     Suarez chips a ball into the centre and Carroll is on the end again with his head but there is no power in the effort and Heaton gathers comfortably.

127. 18

     Adam wastes a ball towards the edge of the Cardiff area and it is easily intercepted.

128. 16

     Liverpool dominating at the moment and have had two-thirds of the possession. Run down the right by johnson but the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.

129. 15

     Charlie Adam chips a nice ball into the box but Carroll heads wide under pressure.

130. 14

     Downing and Jordan Henderson try to link up on the edge of the Cardiff box but there are enough blue shirts back to see off any danger.

131. 13

     Gerrard whips in a cross from the right and Kevin McNaughton has to head behind for the corner. The restart is fired over but the whsitle goes as Andy Carroll is judged to have committed a foul.

132. 12

     Rudy Gestede wins the header after a long ball forward but Miller can't control.

133. 10

     First chance for Cardiff after a nice passage of play. Great flick into Kenny Miller in the Liverpool area but he fires his shot over the bar from 10 yards.

134. 9

     Ben Turner goes into the back of Luis Suarez and it is a Liverpool free-kick.

135. 7

     Another corner on the right now for Liverpool. Martin Skrtel heads into the arms of Tom Heaton.

136. 7

     Hudson called into action again to cut out a cross from Stewart Downing. Liverpool corner on the left.

137. 6

     Johnson fouled on the right but the games goes on. Cross from the right is met by Andy Caroll under pressure from Mark Hudson and the ball goes over the bar for a goal-kick.

138. 4

     Nearly a dream start for the Reds so lets see what Cardiff have in response. More possession for Liverpool currently.

139. 2

     Early Cardiif cross from the left is cleared by the Liverpool defence. The Reds then break through Steven Gerrard and the move ends with Glen Johnson thumping the bar from the edge of the area before Gerrard blasts the rebound over.

140. 1

     Cardiff get the final started.

141. Jeanette Tranter is back and says: "Forgot to add the all important "Come on LIVERPOOL" You can do it."

142. Simo and Matias from Finland say: "Greetings from Finland. 3-2 for Liverpool with Suarez scoring two and Gerrard one from penalty"

143. A few photograph opportunities remain and we are nearly under way.

144. Teams are on the pitch and ready to be introduced to the various guests of honour.

145. Mike Marie says: "Am from mauritius, i am of opininon that Liverpool should take it where they left it against Brighton. strong start.we should not give them half a chance to believe or they will be very hard to break as time will tick off. 2- 1 at HT for pool with suarez and adam to score. bellers and big andy to close the show in the 2nd. enjoy the match and let's bring back the Cup to Anfield."

146. Jeanette Tranter says: "Hello from Down Under, Liverpool will win 3-1 with Suarez scoring the first goal. Will enjoy watching and seeing the score unfold. Good thing I'm not working later on."

147. Dom Woolven adds: "I think that it'll be a entertaining match but will end 3-1 liverpool suarez hatrick"

148. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Carroll. Subs: Doni, Maxi, Kuyt, Spearing, Carragher, Kelly, Bellamy.

149. Cardiff: Heaton, McNaughton, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Mason, Miller, Gestede. Subs: Marshall, Kiss, Gerrard, Earnshaw, Conway, Naylor, Blake.

150. Josh Timms says: "I'm a Manchester United fan, and predict a difficult 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, then a routing for Liverpool to make it 4-1 in extra time. Suarez for 2 goals, Gerrard penalty and Kuyt screamer!"

151. A quick hello to Dom Woolven, who is celebrating his 13th birthday and delighted to see Liverpool back at Wembley. Many happy returns!

152. John from Dundee is going for the upset: "I think Cardiff will win 3-0 Conway first goal!!"

153. Thanks to Eoin in Donegal, who says: "I think Cardiff aren't going to be easy but Liverpool will score 3 goals with Cardiff scoring one. Suarez giving Liverpool alead and Miller equilising for Cardiff, Gerrard [Pen] and another suarez goal to Seal our first trophy since '06"

154. Drop me a line in the build-up to the game at david.john@bskyb.com.

155. Pre-match: Liverpool's Wales international Craig Bellamy is left on the bench for the Carling Cup final against hometown club Cardiff at Wembley. The 32-year-old and Dirk Kuyt are the two players to be left out of the side which played the second leg of the semi-final against Manchester City as Luis Suarez, who was banned at the time, and Andy Carroll come in. Cardiff make four changes from their semi-final win over Crystal Palace, with Kevin McNaughton, Mark Hudson, Rudy Gestede and Joe Mason all coming in - meaning Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's cousin Anthony has to be satisfied with a place on the Bluebirds' bench.

156. Welcome along to our coverage of the Carling Cup final at Wembley. Liverpool are hot favourites with Sky Bet at 4-11 with Cardiff 8-1 and the draw 18-5. Luis Suarez heads the betting to score first at 10-3 with Craig Bellamy a 4-1 chance.