This Roman robs Blues of glory

And it will renew calls for goalline technology to be introduced to bring an end to the human errors which can prove so costly.

Liverpool's winner was by no means as clear cut as Tottenham midfield player Pedro Mendes's disallowed effort earlier in the season when Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll clearly dived into the back of his net before hooking the ball out, but will certainly resurrect the debate about new technology being used to help referees as in other sports such as cricket and rugby.

Adidas, a Champions League supplier, are currently developing a revolutionary ball armed with microchip sensors which can send an electronic bleep to the referee when the ball crosses the line.

In February the International Football Association Board, the game's lawmakers, gave an historic green light for the technology to be tested at the under-17 World Cup in Peru in September.

If the experiment proves successful, adidas are hoping to introduce the "Smartball" system at next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

Given that adidas is looking to extend its supplier deal with the Champions League next year, it would be no surprise if the technology soon finds its way into the most prestigious club competition.

The technology, which adidas is developing with two fellow German companies which specialise in tracking and communications, allows the exact position of the ball on the pitch to be monitored throughout the whole of a game and to be displayed in three dimensions.

Once it has crossed the goal-line for a valid goal, the referee receives an automatic bleep in his earpiece without any need for a fourth official watching pictures from the stands.

Adidas have already conducted two successful tests, but need to conduct more trials at grounds during games before launching the product.

It will not rely on television replays, which as last night's incident showed, can prove inconclusive.

Brian Barwick, the FA's chief executive and a Liverpool fan, has said: "I believe we owe it to the fans to look at this."

Liverpool believe, though, that if the goal had not been allowed, then the referee would have had to send off Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech for a foul on Milan Baros.

Steve Finnan, who joined Liverpool from Fulham, said: "I was too far away at the time so I don't know if the ball crossed the goalline. But it should have been a penalty anyway and their 'keeper could well have been sent off, which could perhaps have been worse for them."

Chelsea captain Terry said: "I couldn't tell from where I was but a few of the lads said the ball didn't go over the line.

"William Gallas was in the way of the ball from where the linesman was but he gave it which was a bad decision. If you're not sure, then don't give a goal."

Baros was honest enough to admit that he didn't see whether the ball was over the line.

"Steve Gerrard found me with a great ball and although Cech saved it, Luis Garcia followed up to put the ball into the net," he said.

"I didn't see if it had crossed the line, but the linesman gave the goal and that's what matters."

Chelsea striker Gudjohnsen, added: "I've been told by players who were closer than me that it was very debatable.

"William Gallas had his body between the linesman and the ball and I thought the official was in a very bad position to judge it.

"It was a brave decision to give a goal without being sure." Gallas himself was distraught at the end of the match and was led down the tunnel in tears.

Mourinho himself was more sanguine but just as disappointed.

"This was a copy of the Carling Cup Final, he said. "But with two differences.

"In the first match in Cardiff, Liverpool scored a wonderful goal and this time they didn't score a goal at all. It was just 50 per cent of a goal."

Goalscorer Garcia said: "When Milan Baros was brought down by the keeper I just kept going and hooked it towards the goal, I felt it went in and I am very happy now.

"It was an important win and for me a very important game and goal. When we arrived here last summer we were intent on winning some trophies, but I do not think we expected to get to the European Cup final in our first season in England.

"It was not just me, everyone was a hero out there. We had to defend and work so hard, it was difficult to keep the ball and when we saw six minutes go up it was almost too much for us.

"But this is not just about the players, it is so important for the club too.

"For us to get to the final is beyond all our dreams, and for me to score the goal is a special moment too."