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Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hails 'special performance' from Craig Bellamy as he haunts former club Manchester City
Welsh striker made the difference as the Reds booked their place in the League Cup final with a 2-2 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night in the semi-final second leg
25 Jan 2012 23:11:00
By Greg Stobart at Anfield
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish hailed a “special performance” from Craig Bellamy after the striker fired his side into the League Cup final with a 3-2 aggregate victory over his former club Manchester City.
The 32-year-old scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute of the 2-2 draw in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday night to book Liverpool's place in the final against Cardiff on February 26.
Bellamy was allowed to leave City on a free transfer in the summer but came back to haunt the Premier League leaders with a superb all-round display that kept Liverpool on course to win their first silverware since 2006.
"Craig put in a special performance," Dalglish told reporters after the match. “I'm sure he will enjoy it tonight.
“Craig was fantastic with his quality as well as his effort and commitment. For us, he was fantastic but so was every single one of the players.”
Roberto Mancini's visitors twice took the lead, through Nigel de Jong and Edin Dzeko, but were pinned back by a Steven Gerrard penalty and then Bellamy's effort from 10 yards.
The result was all the more important for Liverpool as Dalglish's side are struggling in the Premier League this season, sitting seventh in the table and labouring in their attempts to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Dalglish, who returned to management to replace Roy Hodgson last January, admitted reaching the League Cup final was a big achievement for a club that has been starved of success in recent years.
The Scot lambasted his players for their attitude in the 3-1 defeat at Bolton on Saturday but the Kop legend was in joyous mood as he reflected on his side's display.
Dalglish added: “It's great for the people who stood by us. It's not been too good a time for Liverpool Football Club in the last couple of years. We stuck together and showed a lot of quality tonight.
“We are certainly pleased with the outcome and performance. Everything we thought was lacking on Saturday was there in abundance tonight.
“Every single one of the squad have made a contribution to getting us to the final and I think that's a great reflection of the squad we have here.
“We have got to Wembley, but that's all we have done so far. We have not been there for a while so that's one achievement – but that's not where our ambition stops.”
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The 32-year-old scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute of the 2-2 draw in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday night to book Liverpool's place in the final against Cardiff on February 26.
Bellamy was allowed to leave City on a free transfer in the summer but came back to haunt the Premier League leaders with a superb all-round display that kept Liverpool on course to win their first silverware since 2006.
"Craig put in a special performance," Dalglish told reporters after the match. “I'm sure he will enjoy it tonight.
“Craig was fantastic with his quality as well as his effort and commitment. For us, he was fantastic but so was every single one of the players.”
Roberto Mancini's visitors twice took the lead, through Nigel de Jong and Edin Dzeko, but were pinned back by a Steven Gerrard penalty and then Bellamy's effort from 10 yards.
The result was all the more important for Liverpool as Dalglish's side are struggling in the Premier League this season, sitting seventh in the table and labouring in their attempts to qualify for next season's Champions League.
Dalglish, who returned to management to replace Roy Hodgson last January, admitted reaching the League Cup final was a big achievement for a club that has been starved of success in recent years.
The Scot lambasted his players for their attitude in the 3-1 defeat at Bolton on Saturday but the Kop legend was in joyous mood as he reflected on his side's display.
Dalglish added: “It's great for the people who stood by us. It's not been too good a time for Liverpool Football Club in the last couple of years. We stuck together and showed a lot of quality tonight.
“We are certainly pleased with the outcome and performance. Everything we thought was lacking on Saturday was there in abundance tonight.
“Every single one of the squad have made a contribution to getting us to the final and I think that's a great reflection of the squad we have here.
“We have got to Wembley, but that's all we have done so far. We have not been there for a while so that's one achievement – but that's not where our ambition stops.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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