Craig Bellamy came back to haunt his former club Manchester City as Liverpool booked their first Wembley appearance for 16 years after a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Premier League leaders in the semi-final second leg of the League Cup.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg, Liverpool were undone by Nigel De Jong's spectacular 31st minute long-range finish before skipper Steven Gerrard restored their aggregate lead with a controverial 41st minute penalty. But City striker Edin Dzeko made it 2-2 on aggregate after scoring from close range midway through the second half before Bellamy's well executed 74th minute finish sealed a breathtaking tie in Liverpool's favour, the Mereyside club advancing 3-2 on aggregate.
Bellamy scored 12 goals in 40 top-flight games for City before joining Liverpool for a second spell five months ago on a free transfer after spending the whole of last season on loan at Cardiff. Ironically, it is Cardiff who stand between Liverpool and their first trophy for six years. Kenny Dalglish's side will now meet the Championship club in the League Cup final on February 26 - Liverpool's first final at the famous stadium since losing 1-0 to Manchester United in the 1996 FA Cup final.
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