Cobblers stun Reds on memorable night at Anfield

Liverpool blew one of their best chances of winning a trophy this season after suffering an embarrassing 4-2 penalty shootout Carling Cup defeat against npower League Two side Northampton at Anfield.Having taken a ninth-minute lead through Milan Jovanovic, his first goal since joining the club from Standard Liege in the summer, the hosts should have wrapped up the third-round tie.But Billy McKay and Michael Jacobs turned things around, and although David Ngog snatched a late equaliser to make it 2-2 on the night, the Cobblers went through on spot-kicks to book their place in the fourth round for the first time since 1966/67.For the first time in five years Liverpool have not got past the third round, denying them a chance in a competition they were thinking about winning.Those chances were increased by the exits of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham but an under-strength team failed to deliver.It would have not been so bad had the Cobblers come to Anfield and given a particularly stirring performance but they were only really energised by McKay's goal, growing in confidence as their opponents' gradually receded.