Stoke City manager Mark Hughes believes that Liverpool were lucky to earn a place in the Capital One Cup Final.

Despite claiming a 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final thanks to Marko Arnautovic's first-half goal, the Potters were knocked out after losing 6-5 on penalties.

Hughes was left very disappointed by the unfortunate manner of his side's exit from the competition and went on to label Liverpool as lucky to have earned a place at Wembley for the February 28 cup decider.

Hughes told the club's official website: "I think the reaction of us all is pure disappointment because on the night we were by far the better team. We came here, under difficult circumstances whereby we had to win the game, and won it.

"Obviously once it goes to penalties it can go either way and heartbreakingly for us it has gone their way. You can see by the reaction of their fans and their players that they have been incredibly fortunate to progress to the final.

"These sort of things happen in sport and football unfortunately, but that still doesn't make it any easier to take."