It has been 25 years since Gerard Houllier lifted his first trophy as a Liverpool manager and the first of the treble season, with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win in the League Cup final.
The 2000/01 marathon season was memorable for all the right reasons, as Liverpool lifted three trophies in the space of just 80 days.
The first arrived on February 25, 2001 in the League Cup, which was then known as the Worthington Cup.
The Reds overcame Chelsea, Stoke, Fulham and Crystal Palace to set up the meeting with Birmingham at the Millennium Stadium, the first domestic final played outside of England.
Robbie Fowler’s stunning goal in 2001 League Cup final
Robbie Fowler, MOTM, Worthington Cup Final, Cardiff, 2001 (Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo)
Before the 2001 final, Liverpool last lifted a trophy in 1995, in the same competition, and thus the desperation to end the wait was palpable inside the Millennium Stadium.
Liverpool were the overwhelming favourites against a Birmingham side who were a division below the Reds, and Robbie Fowler‘s stunning finish edged Houllier’s side into the lead after 30 minutes.
Further chances came and went, but Liverpool were duly punished for not creating a buffer after Stephane Henchoz’s challenge left the referee no choice but to point to the penalty spot with minutes left in the final.
Darren Purse equalised and the air was sucked out of the Liverpool end as the inability to do it the easy way struck again, which was compounded when extra time heralded no further goals.
To penalties it went.
Birmingham vs. Liverpool: Watch the 2001 League Cup final in full!
The 12-penalty shootout: What happened
Liverpool’s wait for a trophy was to be decided from 12 yards, with every fan taking a collective breath and praying to the football gods that a new generation could see silverware lifted.
Sander Westerveld made two vital saves, denying Birmingham’s first and final takers, while Jamie Carragher surprised everyone when his effort rifled into the top corner.
Penalty Takers & Results
Order LFC Taker Result Birmingham Taker Result
1 Gary McAllister Scored, 1-0 Martin Grainger Saved, 1-0
2 Nick Barmby Scored, 2-0 Darren Purse Scored, 2-1
3 Christian Ziege Scored, 3-1 Marcelo Scored, 3-2
4 Dietmar Hamann Saved, 3-2 Stan Lazaridis Scored, 3-3
5 Robbie Fowler Scored, 4-3 Michael Hughes Scored, 4-4
6 Jamie Carragher Scored, 5-4 Andy Johnson SAVED, 5-4
Carragher later recalled: “People remind me about my run-up for the penalty I took in the shootout and how it must go down as the longest in history.
“It was sudden death but I didn’t have any nerves. I knew where I wanted to put it and, thankfully, it went in.
“My Dad missed the moment, though. He left his seat because he couldn’t watch. It had been a difficult game but we battled through and deserved it.
“It was my first trophy with the senior Liverpool team and it was the catalyst for us to go on and win the cup Treble.
“Gerard Houllier told us to remember how winning felt and urged us to use it as an inspiration. It was and we did.”
The trophy marked the first of three in 80 days, with the FA Cup following before the UEFA Cup in another two dramatic finals, immortalising the squad in the history books.