Kuyt hails penalty hero Reina

LIVERPOOL, England, May 2 (Reuters) Dirk Kuyt praised keeper Jose Reina for guiding Liverpool into the Champions League final with two saves in a penalty shootout win over Chelsea.

The Dutch forward scored the deciding spot-kick, Liverpool's fourth, to win the semi-final tie which finished 1-1 on aggregate following the hosts' 1-0 win in the second leg at Anfield.

''Pepe Reina did a good job to keep us in the game and win on penalties,'' Kuyt told reporters.

''I was pleased to score the final goal but Pepe took the pressure of me because he stopped two penalties. The only thing I had to do was score the goal.'' Kuyt disagreed with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho's view that the west London side had dominated the match and were unlucky to lose.

''That is his vision but it was obvious we controlled the game from the first to the last minute,'' he added.

''It was good to score early and we kept going from that moment. We had chances and controlled (Didier) Drogba, who is their most dangerous player.

''They are a very good team but over two games we have beaten them.'' Defender Jamie Carragher said Liverpool's players were unsure whether Kuyt's penalty would be decisive when he walked up to take it.

''We were trying to work out what the scores were and didn't know if we would win,'' Carragher said.

''And Petr Cech is one of the best keepers in the world and you don't know you if you are going to beat him so we were pleased it worked out.

Liverpool face either AC Milan or Manchester United in the final in Athens.

''We have to keep our feet on the ground. It is only semi-final and we have to bring the trophy back now,'' Carragher said.

REUTERS DH BST0540