Liverpool have reached yet another League Cup final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory against Stoke City.
Neither side musterd a shot on target in the first 45 minutes until Marko Arnautovic rounded off an opportunistic move with a calm finish from close range in first half stoppage time.
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Replays confirmed the goal was clearly a yard offside, however it was just the slice of luck Stoke needed.
The second half proved a fruitless one for both teams, as the game went into extra time.
Liverpool controlled proceedings but Stoke created the better avenues to goal, although they could not find a winner to send them to Wembley with the game heading to a sudden death penalty shoot-out.
Simon Mignolet saved a Peter Crouch spot kick, only for Emre Can to miss immediately after when his shot struck the post and bounced out.
Both teams held their nerve throughout the remaining penalties before Mignolet made a fantastic save to deny Marc Muniesa, allowing Joe Allen the opportunity to step up and plant the ball into the roof of the net and send Liverpool to Wembley.
Here are some of the best reactions from Twitter:
More shots on target in penalty shoot-out than in 120 mins of normal time…sigh #livsto
— Andy Davies (@96redballoons) January 26, 2016
Joe Pirlo saves the day! #LIVSTO
— Richard Priestley (@priestley35) January 26, 2016
#Everton have something massive to fight for tomorrow night. #LIVSTO
— Josh Smith (@JSmith2212) January 26, 2016
We don’t deserve Joe Allen, what a legend. #LIVSTO #LFC
— Matthew (@matt4w) January 26, 2016
God knows how we’ve made a final with our pub team midfield. Lucas, Milner and Henderson #LIVSTO
— Kyle Hawkins (@87KyleHawkins) January 26, 2016
His Name is Joe Allen He Passes like Xavi And he Have Pirlo’s Beard Joe Allen Joe Allen We’re off to Wembley #LFC
— Yaniu (@yaniu8) January 26, 2016
Ironic that’s it’s only after Rodgers has gone that people are giving Joe Allen any credit #LFC
— Sam Drury (@SamDrury11) January 26, 2016
Allen: “I was nervous, there was confusion about who would take the 7th penalty but I picked the right corner. It’s electric here now.” #LFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) January 26, 2016
We were awful tonight, like most games, but who cares. We’re off to Wembley #LFC
— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) January 26, 2016
Nerves are shot by the way… Exhausted & mentally tortured! Good night & dreams of another #lfc Wembley day out! pic.twitter.com/LfqfrTEMCY
— Liverpool FC (@LFCblogster) January 26, 2016
I hate what we’ve become. This squad isn’t a representation of our club. #LFC
— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) January 26, 2016
Klopp: “Over the 120 minutes, the players, the crowd and Liverpool deserved it.” #LFC
— Anything Liverpool (@Anything_LFC) January 26, 2016
Would love a Merseyside final at Wembley – a sea of red and blue #LFC
— H-W Chan (@HWChan555) January 26, 2016
? I Joe Allen’s winner. #LFC https://t.co/W81j2g6YmF
— Sefendo (@Sefendo) January 26, 2016
It´s possible #LFC are signing Teixeira. Coutinho soon fit. Sturridge has one month to be ready for the final. Just saying
— Alex Fagerholm (@AlexLFC90) January 26, 2016
Klopps broken glasses could see that was offside… Shocking from the officials. #LFC #LIVSTO
— Irish Reds (@LFCIrishFanzone) January 26, 2016
Mignolet at every corner #LIVSTO #LIVSTK pic.twitter.com/QvN9sf4Pok
— WantMyBet? (@wantmybet) January 26, 2016
I’ve more go in me when I’m asleep than Benteke. Sorry enough now I’ve tried to be supportive but he’s piss poor!! #LIVSTO
— Louise (@RedLiverbirdLou) January 26, 2016
Joe Allen has dedicated his winning penalty to his dad. Sweet. #LFC pic.twitter.com/LQcPYBHMOn
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) January 26, 2016
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