KEEPER Simon Mignolet proved the shootout hero as Liverpool reached the League Cup final on penalties after a gripping last-four, second-leg tie at Anfield ended 1-1 on aggregate Tuesday.

    Mignolet saved twice in the shootout, including a brilliant stop to deny Marc Muniesa in sudden death, which allowed Joe Allen to stroke home the decisive spotkick and send Liverpool to Wembley.

    It was a fortunate end to an uncomfortable evening for the hosts, who were under pressure for much of the encounter which ended 1-0 to Stoke City after extra time.

    It was a thrilling end for Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp who could not bare to watch as Allen’s final penalty hit the net. Stoke took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Marko Arnautovic swept the ball home from an offside position but the assistant’s flag stayed down and the goal was allowed to stand.

    Liverpool struggled to breakdown a resolute Stoke defense and after neither side could add to the scoring for the remainder of the match, it went to penalties and Allen’s effort gave the hosts a 6-5 win in the shootout.

    Liverpool will face either Everton or Manchester City in the final on Feb. 28, with Roberto Martinez’s side holding a 2-1 lead heading into yesterday’s second leg.

    (SD-Agencies)