Liverpool principal owner John Henry hopes success in the Carling Cup will mean the club stop making the headlines for off-field reasons.
Reds principal owner hopes Wembley win is a stepping stone
Liverpool principal owner John Henry hopes success in the Carling Cup will mean the club stop making the headlines for off-field reasons.
The Reds edged a tight affair on penalties at Wembley and Henry was present to see the club his Fenway Sports Group bought in October 2010 win their first trophy for six years.
Henry thinks it could be an important day in the Reds' history, considering the turbulent recent past of former American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
"So much has been said and written over the years about Liverpool FC off the field, so it's great to be finally getting to the point where we can talk about what's going on on the field," he told
Sky Sports at Wembley.
"We look at it as the first step in what we're trying to accomplish, putting the club back to where it has historically been."
Asked if the result would make big news in America, Henry said: "No! But it's a wonderful day for us."
Pressure
Henry was full of praise for manager Kenny Dalglish, who was asked to return to the club just over a year ago.
"The whole club had a lot of pressure, but Kenny has been extraordinary from day one," said the American.
Meanwhile, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner revealed he could not face the tension of the penalty shoot-out.
He told Liverpool's
official website: "The key is that we accomplished something as a club and for our fans. I'm just proud we won because it's a first step and we're looking forward to more silver.
"I really have to pinch myself. To all of our supporters, they've seen a remarkable football match. I thought we were the better team and I'm so proud of the club and so excited for all those fans around the world who watched.
"I really couldn't watch the penalties. I heard but I couldn't watch.
"It's certainly at the very top (of what I've ever achieved), and to go into that dressing room and see the joy those players had, it's a memory we have and want to share with our fans."
