[lfc-news] 'Better than beating Arsenal' - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 2 Dec 2004
'Better than beating Arsenal'
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

PENALTY HERO Florent Sinama-Pongolle says last night's Carling Cup win over
Spurs 'felt even better' than the Arsenal victory at the weekend.

The 20-year-old striker slotted home an extra-time spot kick and kept his
cool to score the decider in the shoot-out which took Liverpool into a
semi-final showdown with Watford.

Sinama believes manager Rafa Benitez will keep faith in his young guns for
the remainder of the competition.

"I feel unbelievable. I'm numb," said the youngster.

"The first penalty was special because I looked up at the clock and saw
there were only three minutes left. I thought 'Oh my God'. But I had
confidence I could score, which is why I took the ball.

"With the second one, I'm thinking to myself 'how can I be facing the same
situation twice in 10 minutes?'.

"Before I kicked the ball I could see Robinson move to the side I was going
to put the ball, so I changed my mind and put it the other side.

"I wanted so much to win as part of this young team. I'm so happy for
everyone because we worked so hard. It's the highlight of my Liverpool
career so far.

Sinama could have won the game earlier had he been allowed a one-on-one
with Paul Robinson.

He was amazed Anthony Gardner wasn't dismissed for a professional foul on
77 minutes.

"I don't like judging referees but when I see this happen, I can't
understand it," said Sinama.

"The referee knows a red card was deserved. The rules are clear."

Another star performer, Zak Whitbread, said the sense of fear some of the
young side would never get another chance to play for the club was an
inspirational factor in their second half transformation.

"The boss said we never know how many more minutes we'll get this season or
if there are other games left for us," said Whitbread. "All of us knew we
were on the back foot but we started to play a lot more football and we
worked our socks off.

"It was hectic in the first half but we took the pressure well. The manager
gave us a talking to at half-time but we came out second half with great
courage and resilience. It paid off.

"I can't explain how delighted we are. For it to happen to us all together
is like a dream come true.

"They created a lot of chances, but we came back strong. Now we're already
thinking we want to move on and make sure we beat Watford. I hope the
gaffer sticks with us."

Meanwhile, the Reds have expressed an interest in bringing Ivan Campo to
Anfield as defensive cover.

The ex Real Madrid star is targeted as part of a deal which might see on
loan striker El-Hadji Diouf remain at Bolton.

Liverpool do not want the controversial Senegalese international back.


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