Robben, who returned to the Chelsea line-up for the first time since he had knee surgery as a late sub, had his effort brilliantly saved by Jose Reina and Liverpool went on to win the shoot-out 4-1.

But Mourinho, whose difficult relationship with Robben has included public suggestions that he pulls out of squads too easily with injuries, insisted there would be no recriminations.

"Robben was a brave boy," the Chelsea boss declared. "He wanted very much to come and help because he knows the team is in a difficult moment with so many injuries.

"He was not absolutely ready but he was saying 'I want to help'. I played him to try, with his speed and sharpness, to bring something to the game in extra-time. We tried to score the winning goal and after that it went to penalties.

"He is a good penalty taker. He was confident to take it and again he was brave to have the responsibility and go. He missed -- that's life.

"We didn't want it to go to penalties. On penalties, a team wins or loses, why? Luck? A bad penalty taker? A goalkeeper more adapted to saving penalties? In the end, they scored more penalties than us."

With Manchester United firmly in the driving seat in the Premiership, Chelsea's dreams of quad success have been shattered and Mourinho must now rally his troops for the FA Cup final against United at the new Wembley on May 19.

But Mourinho insisted he was proud of a squad he claims has defied the odds to have done as well as they have this season, during which Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Robben have all spent significant periods on the sidelines.

"I did not say many words to the players afterwards," Mourino added. "I am proud of them and share the difficult moment with them. From minute 30 in the first half Chelsea were trying to win and to score over the 90 minutes. In extra-time again Chelsea was stronger, faster and incredibly fresher."

Mourinho also suggested that Liverpool's goal on Tuesday night might have been ruled off by a more attentive official.

"Daniel Agger lost his marker for the goal but somebody tells me that Salomon Kalou was blocked by an opponent," Mourinho said. "I am proud of them all."