By Kate7
March 1 2005

Liverpool, denied a penalty early on and holding out for 79 minutes, were crushed when an own goal by Steven Gerrard brought Chelsea level at 1.1. Up to that point Liverpool had defended admirably but the gulf in quality was obvious and Chelsea deserved to win the Carling Cup Final overall. Devastated Steven Gerrard today spoke of his agony in scoring an own goal. The reds skipper remains steadfast in his belief that he will one day pick up a trophy with Liverpool FC.

From an interview on .tv.

"I said before the game it would either be the best day of my life or the worst. Now it's the worst. I really felt we were going to hold on to the win," says the Reds skipper.

"It was a freak goal which has turned the game their way. I tried to stretch as far as I could to head it away but there was nothing I could do about it. I've never scored an own goal in my life and I can't believe it's happened in a final."

Gerrard was inconsolable at the end of a gruelling 120 minutes action in the Welsh capital but already he's talking of avenging this cruel defeat.

He adds: "I'm gutted for the lads and the supporters but we've now got to try and stay focused on qualifying for the Champions League.

"If we come fourth it will feel like we've won a cup final now because Everton have a big lead over us. This has made me more determined than ever to help us get into the top four. I haven't given up my dream of lifting a trophy as Liverpool captain.

"It's going to be a tough ask for us to win anything this year now, but we'll give it our best shot in the Champions League. Our hopes are still alive. If we get through and Chelsea get through I'd like us to meet them again because I'd fancy our chances."