Liverpool 2 Manchester City 2

LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard led the celebrations as his side ended a near sixyear wait to qualify for a major domestic final.

The Reds booked their place in the Carling Cup showpiece with Cardiff by seeing off Manchester City on aggregate last night, a 2-2 draw coming on the back of their 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago.

As he was then, Gerrard was on target from the penalty spot again, equalising after Nigel de Jong’s opener, before Craig Bellamy, a former City striker, scored after Edin Dzeko had put the visitors to Anfield 2-1 up on the night.

Liverpool last reached a domestic final in 2006 when they beat West Ham to the FA Cup in Cardiff, and the February 26 meeting will be their first Wembley appearance since 1996.

‘‘It’s a great feeling, it’s been a while,’’ Gerrard said.

‘‘Since playing at Cardiff in 2006, it’s been too long for this club. I‘m delighted for everyone, especially the fans.’’ Gerrard was in no doubt who his side’s star man was, with Bellamy hitting the decisive goal after City goalkeeper Joe Hart had produced a stunning one-man show to keep Liverpool at bay.

‘‘Craig was the difference,’’ Gerrard added. ‘‘His pace was always a threat and we know that if a chance falls to him he can finish. It‘s a big thanks to him.

‘‘We had to be positive and brave. Man City have so much quality and our decision to attack them paid off.

‘‘Joe is a big character but I don’t feel sorry for him. He’s a top keeper and he will play in many finals. But it’s our turn now and we have to go and lift that trophy.’’ Bellamy will get to face his hometown club in the final, as well as the side he played for last season.

‘‘The omens were looking good going into tonight after I saw Cardiff go through,’’ the striker said.

‘‘I was delighted for them and this couldn’t be a better final for me.

‘‘Cardiff means so much to me. It’s funny how football can work out at times.’’ Manager Kenny Dalglish shared the enthusiasm of his captain, and also thanked City for allowing Bellamy to join them in the summer.

‘‘It was a fantastic performance, although the game finished a draw, we were deserved qualifiers,’’ the veteran Scot said.

‘‘All but one of the firstteam squad have played on this run and they have been magnificent. It was a fantastic evening for everyone.

‘‘Craig was unbelievable. If Man City have anyone else like that that they don’t want to keep, they know where we are.’’ City manager Roberto Mancini felt the game hinged on two penalty decisions.

Referee Phil Dowd handed Liverpool a spot-kick when the ball reared up off Micah Richards’ boot and hit his hand, but did not award one when Dzeko went down under Charlie Adam’s challenge at the other end.

‘‘We put in a good performance, scored two goals. I don’t think it was a penalty for Liverpool but it was for us. This changed the game,’’ the Italian said.