Such an occurrence is highly unlikely as referee Howard Webb confirmed that the sending offs were for violent conduct, meaning that they will be suspended for three games, including the final.
It was a sad, unnecessary end to an entertaining game with substitute Luis Garcia, on the pitch only two minutes, catching Mullins in the back with his elbow as they competed for a loose ball on the half-way line. The West Ham midfielder responded by pushing the Spaniard in the chest and he fell to the ground.
Alan Pardew, the West Ham manager, revealed that after the game and having watched a video replay, he led a delegation including opposite number Rafael Benitez and the two players to Webb's room, where they appealed for any opportunity to have the decisions quashed.
''By the letter of the law they should have been sent off but we are all in agreement that we believe the FA should show some clemency,'' said Pardew. ''If they have to serve three games, maybe they could serve two this season and another next season.''
However understandable the feelings are, if the FA make an exception, they leave themselves open to ridicule.
That incident, over in seconds, clouded a game in which Djibril Cisse scored twice to record Liverpool's ninth straight win.
Luis Garcia scored the winner against Chelsea on Saturday but his absence could pave the way for Cisse at the Millennium Stadium.
Indeed, the participants on show last night bore little resemblance to those involved in taking their respective teams to Cardiff. There were no fewer than 13 changes made, with Liverpool including only three of the side who beat Chelsea.
After a hugely impressive dedication to former West Ham manager John Lyall, who died last week, Liverpool stole the early bragging rights with a 19th-minute goal. Momo Sissoko was given room to find Cisse, at the second attempt, and the £14 million French international responded with a right-foot shot between Jimmy Walker's right glove and the post. Liverpool were allowed to expose West Ham down the left wing and, before the break, Cisse tested Walker again from long range. But there were signs of improvement from West Ham with Teddy Sheringham going close with a glancing header, from Anton Ferdinand's cross, while Yossi Benayoun headed wide of an unguarded target.
West Ham levelled just 49 seconds into the second period with a delightful move. Bobby Zamora combined intricately with Sheringham before setting Nigel Reo-Coker up for a simple 10-yard finish.
But Walker was again at fault when Liverpool regained their lead in the 54th minute. Fernando Morientes fed Robbie Fowler and his half volley eluded Ferdinand and found Cisse. The striker punted the ball at Walker but the goalkeeper let it squeeze through his legs.
West Ham could have levelled again with almost an hour played when, from a 25-yard free-kick, Matty Etherington was denied only by the athleticism of Jerzy Dudek. With Liverpool already in next season's Champions League and West Ham qualified for the Uefa Cup, the game should have petered out, but the late flashpoint marred a night which offers great hope for a thriller in Cardiff.