Liverpool advanced to the European Champions Cup final for the first time in 20 years, beating Chelsea 1-0 Tuesday night on Luis Garcia's disputed goal in the fourth minute.

Garcia's deflected shot was cleared by defender William Gallas at the goal line. Slovakian linesman Roman Slysko ruled the ball had crossed the line, and television replays were inconclusive. Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho maintained the ball did not completely go over.

"Football sometimes is cruel. We have accept the result. They scored a goal, if you can say they scored it," Mourinho said. "I can say that the linesman scored it."

Liverpool, which played a 0-0 tie at Chelsea last week, advanced on 1-0 aggregate to the final on May 25 at Istanbul, Turkey. AC Milan takes a 2-0 lead into its second-leg semifinal at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

Liverpool last won the title in 1984 and last reached the final in 1985, when 39 fans were killed at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. Liverpool fans rioted that night before their team's 1-0 loss to Juventus of Turin.

Chelsea, which clinched the English title on Saturday for the first time in 50 years, almost scored in the fifth minute of injury time when Eidur Gudjohnsen fired across the front of the goal after goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek had failed to clear a cross. Chelsea would have advanced with a 1-1 tie, based on more away goals.

"After beating Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus, Chelsea, we can beat AC Milan or PSV," Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez said. "Why not?"

(Agencies)