Comolli: Carling Cup victory will help entice Europe's elite
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Steven Gerrard saw the Reds' first penalty of the shoutout saved by Tom Heaton, but cousin Anthony missed Cardiff's decisive final spot-kick to hand the Merseyside club their first significant piece of silverware since 2006.
Gerrard, on as a substitute, was consoled by his relative at the final whistle - as Kenny Dalglish and his side were finally able to celebrate their success after a rollercoaster afternoon that had numerous twists and turns.
Young striker Joe Mason had opened the scoring in the first half for Cardiff in normal time, as Liverpool needed until the 60th minute for Martin Skrtel to find an equaliser and set the stage for an extra 30 minutes of action.
Dirk Kuyt then put Liverpool on course for celebration with an unorthodox finish, before the Dutchman's joy turned to pain as he failed to clear from a corner as centre-back Ben Turner poked home a second equaliser.
That sent the game to penalties - which started in horrible fashion for the Premier League side as both Gerrard and Charlie Adam missed their opening attempts. But Kenny Miller and Rudy Gestede missed for the Welsh side and, after Stewart Downing, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson had converted, a second miss from a Gerrard decided the contest.
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Carling Cup victory will help Liverpool entice Europe's elite, says Comolli
All smiles: Comolli believes Liverpool can use Carling Cup as a springboard
Europe's elite players will now be interested in joining Liverpool once again after the dramatic Carling Cup final penalty shootout victory over Cardiff.
Kenny Dalglish was the toast of Merseyside once again after bringing silverware back to Anfield for the first time in six years.
And Comolli believes the club can use the victory and continued growth under the guidance of Dalglish can persuade high-profile players to join the 'project'.
'We already know that there are big players who want to join us next summer because they believe in the project,' Comolli told Sky Sports.
'Everybody in Europe knows what Liverpool football club are trying to do.
'Obviously the fact that we’re back playing in Europe and we’ve won the trophy, it’s all positive things.'
Thrilling finale: The Reds won the tight encounter on penalties
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in short, to win cups, U need more cousins!!