Cardiff

3.19

• 
  20

  5

  4.00

  Tom Heaton Top of the Match

  Commanded his box well to fend off endless Liverpool set-pieces and showed strong reflexes to deal with the barrage of long-range shots. Could do little about either goal and made a sensational save from Gerrard during the shoot-out.

• 
  6

  5

  3.00

  Kevin McNaughton

  The silver-haired right-back had a difficult job quelling the combined threat of Downing and Enrique but stuck to his task well.and made some important clearances. Withdrawn in the second period of extra time.

• 
  5

  4

  3.00

  Andrew Taylor

  Bombed forward effectively early on and then settled in for some solid rearguard action, which he did rather well. Made a brilliant goal-line clearance in extra time.

• 
  14

  3

  4.00

  Mark Hudson

  Rose brilliantly to the occasion in his first game for six weeks with a commanding display at the heart of the Cardiff defence, although one error early in the second half sent Suarez clear on goal. Limped off with cramp eight minutes into extra time.

• 
  6

  6

  3.50

  Ben Turner

  The centre-back threw himself into some excellent headed clearances and put his body on the line to hold his own in an excellent battle with Carroll.

• 
  4

  4

  3.00

  Peter Whittingham

  The playmaker was not quite as influential as Cardiff would have hoped but still delivered a regular stream of fine passes as well as showing defensive responsibility to protect the defence. Calmly scored his penalty in the shoot-out.

• 
  4

  4

  3.00

  Don Cowie

  Cardiff's leading scorer in this season's competition provided sound support to the strikers from his left flank role, including two brilliant flicks at the start of both halves to set up Miller. Scored the first penalty of the shootout with the fourth attempt.

• 
  5

  4

  3.50

  Aron Einar Gunnarsson

  The midfield anchorman rarely ventured into Liverpool's half but his positional play was essential in preventing Gerrard and Adam from dominating the midfield.

• 
  4

  5

  3.00

  Kenny Miller

  Clever display in a withdrawn striker role but unable to cap it with a goal. Wasted three excellent chances, including one in the dying minutes, and made only partial amends by putting Mason clear for the goal with a neat pass. Hit the post with his penalty.

• 
  2

  5

  3.00

  Rudy Gestede

  Kept Liverpool's two centre-backs busy with a tireless display in the targetman role. Sent his penalty against the post.

• 
  7

  4

  3.50

  Josep Mason

  Aged 20 and wearing No20, the young striker put his team ahead with a wonderfully calm finish from one of many excellent runs from his right flank station. Subbed at the end of normal time.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  11

  2.50

  Anthony Gerrard

  The cousin of the Liverpool captain was cast in the role of villain after failing to clear Kuyt's initial shot before the crucial second goal and then missing the final penalty in the shoot-out.

• 
  2

  7

  0.00

  Darcy Blake

  Replaced McNaughton in the second period of extra time.

• 
  3

  7

  2.50

  Filip Kiss

  Made little headway on the right flank after replacing the goalscorer Mason.

Liverpool

3.00

• 
  22

  14

  2.50

  José Reina Paez

  Not a day for the Spaniard to remember. Both of Cardiff's goals went through his legs and he struggled to deal with their late barrage of corners.

• 
  45

  2

  3.50

  Glen Johnson

  Buccaneering display from the right-back. Only the woodwork stopped him giving his team the lead within two minutes with a brilliant curled shot, which set the tone for a fine display of surging runs and threatening crosses and long-range shot. Bashed in his penalty in the shoot-out.

• 
  29

  7

  3.00

  José Enrique

  His alliance with Downing looked Liverpool's most likely way of finding a breakthrough in the first half but failed to track Mason adequately for Cardiff's goal.

• 
  29

  7

  3.00

  Daniel Agger

  Got caught out by Miller's superb ball in the build-up to Mason's excellent opener but otherwise delivered a typically sturdy display until he limped off with four minutes left.

• 
  50

  3

  3.50

  Martin Skrtel

  Became the first Liverpool player to score at Wembley since Steve McManaman in 1995 when he banged in the loose ball in the six-yard box to level the score. It capped a fine, rugged display by the most reliable of Liverpool's defenders on the day.

• 
  32

  8

  3.00

  Steven Gerrard

  Provided usual diet of surging runs, commitment and menacing set-piece deliveries but blotted his copybook by leaving his shooting boots at home. Wasted half a dozen decent scoring opportunities. Saw a perfectly reasonable penalty sensationally saved by Heaton.

• 
  24

  24

  2.00

  Jordan Henderson Flop of the Match

  A horrible afternoon for the midfielder. Boundless energy but, after being given the nod over Dirk Kuyt, failed to put it to good use. His distribution was poor and his technique let him down when presented with two good volleyed opportunities. Subbed in 58th minute.

• 
  54

  3

  3.50

  Stewart Downing

  Liverpool's main attacking threat in both halves, the Englishman was lively and confident - first on the left flank and, then, on the right when Bellamy came on. Calmly tucked away his penalty.

• 
  24

  11

  2.50

  Charlie Adam

  Hit-and-miss display by the central midfielder, whose long-range passing did not always find its intended target while his shooting was accurate without being especially threatening. His appalling penalty brought back reminders of Chris Waddle in Italia '90.

• 
  27

  10

  3.00

  Luis Suárez

  Always looked capable of causing mayhem but did not quite manage to do so. His poor touch when clear on goal late in normal time summed a disappointing display in his first final in English football.

• 
  23

  10

  2.50

  Andy Carroll

  Heavily involved in Liverpool's attacks and made his presence felt but the ball did not really fall for him and mis-timed a number of his headers. Withdrawn in the first half of added time.

Substitutions

• 
  23

  3

  2.50

  Jamie Carragher

  Liverpool's defence looked vulnerable following the veteran's arrival, and he could not help prevent some grim set-piece defending late on.

• 
  66

  1

  4.00

  Dirk Kuyt

  Was a hero at both ends, scoring Liverpool's second goal with a thunderous second-time shot and then clearing off the line minutes later. Unable to prevent the late Cardiff corner falling into the path of Turner.

• 
  38

  2

  3.50

  Craig Bellamy

  Galvanised Liverpool with his dynamism and pace on the left flank although could not deliver the fairytale goal that he would have wanted against his boyhood club and employers last season.