Manager Jurgen Klopp has explained all, however, while confirming James Milner – rather than Sturridge – had been due to take penalty number five if required.
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With three of Liverpool’s four takers missing, Jamie Carragher raged after the game, describing the decision to hand responsibility to two defensive midfielders, and two attackers, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana as “stupid”.
Although not everyone agreed with Klopp’s version of events.
Liverpool fought back from a goal down to force extra time and then the lottery of penalties, but they could not win the Cup for a record-extending ninth time as City triumphed in the shootout 3-1.
“I may be wrong about suggesting they should have gone top heavy but I don’t know why someone like Lucas, who I thought was the best player on the pitch today, was taking the second penalty”.
“You think there’d be more chance of Daniel Sturridge scoring than Lucas Leiva”.
The Liverpool legend believes the hitman can be the catalyst for a Capital One Cup win on Sunday when the Reds meet Manchester City at Wembley. You have the chance to use it, this defeat and that’s what I love in this job.
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Instead, City won the tournament for the second time in three years and ensured that boss Manuel Pellegrini will leave in the summer with at least one trophy to his name.
