Pompey hold nerve

A goalless yet entertaining game could not be settled in 90 minutes and Niko Kranjcar scored the decisive spot-kick to ensure Pompey's triumph.

Earlier in the shootout, John Utaka had fired wide for Pompey but his error was cancelled out with misses from Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun.

Liverpool were the first to gain a measure of control after a full-blooded opening and Dirk Kuyt flicked a Harry Kewell cross narrowly over the crossbar after nine minutes.

Kuyt then brought a smart save out of David James down to his left on 20 minutes after the Dutchman had run across the line to latch on to Jermaine Pennant's reverse pass.

New signing Ryan Babel then almost embarrassed James when he robbed the goalkeeper of possession but the Portsmouth defence eventually scrambled the ball to safety.

Liverpool came closest to taking the lead five minutes later, however, as Babel probed on the edge of the area before laying the ball off to Xabi Alonso.

The Spain midfielder moved the ball out to Pennant on the right and the winger easily beat Matt Taylor before crossing to the near post for Kuyt to power a header goalwards. However, James reacted smartly to somehow keep the ball out on the line with his legs.

A good interchange between Jermaine Pennant and Sissoko saw Torres fire wide before Reina's piercing kick sent the striker clear and although the chance looked lost after Campbell had held him up, he still managed to stab a loose ball goalward that James did well to parry.

Reina had to be quick off the mark to close down John Utaka after the goalkeeper's poor clearance had landed his side in trouble and James smothered well at Kuyt's feet after the Dutchman had linked well with Torres.