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Liverpool 1-1 Manchester City (1-3 AET-PK): Caballero Repays Pellegrini's Faith to Lift League Cup

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Yesterday, Willy Caballero the Argentine netminder that serves as Joe Hart's deputy with Manchester City said a victory at Wembley against Liverpool would be a his "proudest moment" as a professional footballer. He came through with flying colors both in an Extra Time period where his saves denied Liverpool a lead and in the Penalty Kick Shootout with three saves. Caballero's continued starts in domestic cup matches have been controversial to the Blues faithful and media. However, Pellegrini who brought the keeper over from Malaga where he previously managed has stuck by the rotation that sees Caballero play in all domestic cup matches while Hart features in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

For Manuel Pellegrini, the Blues outgoing Manager it was a third domestic trophy in English football. When the Chilean was hired by the Blues, many questioned his ability to win trophies in European football after not winning a single honor in three stops in Spain. That having been said his teams at Villarreal and Malaga by most objective accounts over achieved in those eras.

The Blues have now won five domestic trophies since 2011 - the most among any English club in that period. This result also seems like poetic justice, for in 2012 Liverpool lifted the League Cup trophy after fortunately defeating Cardiff on penalties. Cardiff had better chances to win that match and Liverpool only advanced to the final because of a controversial handball call against Micah Richards of Manchester City in the second leg of the semifinals.

Four years later, the Blues got revenge.

Much more on this match later here at Bitter and Blue.