Liverpool are going back to Wembley for the first time in 16 years - but TEAMtalk hope they leave the dreadful cream suits behind this time!

Liverpool are going back to Wembley for the first time in 16 years and they celebrated loudly and proudly tonight.

It's 16 years since Liverpool have sung "Que sera, sera" in anticipation of a visit to the national stadium, and of course it has been knocked down and rebuilt in that time.

Thankfully there is more chance of that famous song getting an airing on February 26, Carling Cup final day, than those dreadful cream suits that remain the indelible memory of that last appearance.

Time was when Liverpool treated the stadium as their second home.

Four of their record seven victories in this competition came in successive seasons from 1981 to 1984. Kenny Dalglish was in his pomp as a player.

These are more pragmatic times.

The league title won't be won by Liverpool this year, Champions League qualification is a big ask as well.

But, should Cardiff be overcome at Wembley to claim a first trophy of the John Henry era and Dalglish's first as manager since that 1990 league title win, a mighty club that has lost its place at the top table may just be taking the first tentative steps back.

If Roberto Mancini's knowledge of the English language was better, he might recognise the phrase 'just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me'.

It sprang to mind as Steven Gerrard drove home an almost perfect penalty to cancel out Nigel de Jong's stunning opener.

The list of potential grievances is growing by the game for Mancini.

Gareth Barry, harshly sent off for two bookable offences against these opponents three weeks ago.

Vincent Kompany, red-carded for a two-footed tackle on Nani that Mancini felt was nothing of the sort and banned for four matches.

Glen Johnson, not dismissed for a tackle on Joleon Lescott that Mancini felt was worse than Kompany's.

Wigan's Maynor Figueroa remaining on the pitch despite deliberately handling to deny Sergio Aguero a clear run on goal.

Mario Balotelli, now beginning a four-match ban for a lunge on Scott Parker that City are convinced referee Howard Webb saw at the time.

And now this.

Referee Phil Dowd indicated that he showed no leniency because Micah Richards had his arms in the air. But on the basis they are attached to his body, precisely what is he supposed to do with them as he prepares to make a tackle?

If the ball had struck the City skipper without the aid of a deflection, fair enough. For it to ricochet upwards off his leg made Dowd's call harsh.

Not that Liverpool weren't worthy of an aggregate lead.

In Craig Bellamy, the Reds had the game's most dangerous player.

A Cardiff-born lifelong Liverpool fan, and a former City favourite, Bellamy had more reason that most to hunt victory for the dream final it would set up.

Fizzing with energy, a constant menace as always, Bellamy chuntered his way through the game in exceptional fashion.

His efforts contrasted sharply with the laboured performance of Edin Dzeko, who has never looked worth the £27million Mancini paid Wolfsburg for him six months after Bellamy packed his bags for a loan move to Cardiff, his relationship with City's manager broken beyond repair.

Sergio Aguero's introduction for the hapless Stefan Savic at half-time was out of necessity but the City fans who believe their record signing is an inferior player to Dzeko are few in number.

As Savic's tortuous evening unfolded, and then, after the Montenegrin had been put out of his misery and both Martin Skrtel and Stewart Downing had been denied in quite brilliant fashion, another thought occurred.

Player for player, in terms of distance between the next best option, Joe Hart is the man England manager Fabio Capello can least afford to get injured prior to Euro 2012.

In the space of 18 months, Hart has improved immeasurably.

England's best goalkeeper is on a par with any Premier League rival and not that far behind Iker Casillas, rightly regarded as the world's number one. And he is still only 24.

Hart was the single most important reason why Liverpool were not out of sight when Dzeko roused himself to take advantage of Daniel Agger's slack marking to put the visitors ahead for a second time.

The notable milestone of becoming the first team since Arsenal in 1987 to reach the League Cup final after losing the initial home leg of a semi-final was back within reach.

But some days are too precious to just give up without a fight.

The chance of a cup final coming around again for a 32-year-old with dodgy knees was virtually non-existent last August, when Bellamy looked set to be a spare part at City.

But Liverpool swooped, taking a gamble perhaps, trusting he could revive former glories.

And when he emerged from the bodies that submerged him as he celebrated his glorious goal in front of the Kop 16 minutes from the end, there was vindication written across his wide smile.

Former glories have been Liverpool's anchor, as they have clung to their status among the elite. There could be some future success just around the corner now.

By Simon Stone