Dirk Kuyt said Liverpool FC could take great pride from their performance at Stamford Bridge despite failing in their quest to overturn Chelsea FC's 3-1 advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
Lampard decider
The Merseyside club led 2-0 inside the first 30 minutes and then, after Chelsea had recovered to lead 3-2 on the night, scored twice more to put the issue in doubt again before Frank Lampard struck with a minute remaining to earn Guus Hiddink's side a 4-4 draw on the night and a 7-5 aggregate victory. "We tried everything we could and the team can be proud," said Kuyt, whose header made it 4-3 to Liverpool in a contest that pulsated with drama and tension from start to finish. "We had a good first half but Chelsea came back in the game. Then we tried to come back again but unfortunately it was not enough. When we led 4-3 we hoped for a miracle but it was not to be."
No Gerrard
Liverpool's effort was even more laudable considering it was achieved without their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard who was not risked because of a groin strain. "We played for Stevie, for the team and for the supporters who were really good again tonight. It was everyone together," added Kuyt. "To score four goals at Stamford Bridge is a really good effort. Maybe we needed a bit more luck but at the end the team who wins deserves to go through."
League quest
Pepe Reina agreed, saying: "We gave it our all and we have to be proud. After the first leg we knew we had to perform and now we have to learn from that and try to keep going in the league." With Chelsea now facing FC Barcelona in the semi-final, the Liverpool goalkeeper is under no doubts who he would like to see go through. "They are both great teams but being Spanish and having played in Barcelona for many years I want them to win," added Reina, who was on the books at the Camp Nou before moving to Villarreal CF in 2002.
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