Liverpool’s 2022 Carabao Cup closing hero Caoimhin Kelleher shall be very happy to remain out of the limelight at Wembley.
The Republic of Eire worldwide scored what turned out to be the profitable spot-kick after a goalless closing towards Sunday’s opponents Chelsea in an epic shoot-out which completed 11-10, when Kelleher’s reverse quantity Kepa Arrizabalaga blazed over, the one failure from both facet.
It was becoming for the Irishman, who has been Liverpool’s League Cup goalkeeper for the previous few seasons, however he would favor a quieter afternoon this time round.
“To be honest, I used to be simply within the second. I didn’t even realise it was my go and I appeared on the lads they usually have been pointing at me,” mentioned Kelleher.
“I didn’t have a lot time to suppose so I simply ended up smashing it in.”
Requested whether or not he had practised his penalties once more he added: “I’ve accomplished fine details however I’m hoping we win it within the 90 minutes. I feel it’s simpler for the followers.
“I’ve nice reminiscences from the cup. I feel the clear factor would be the penalty, that could be a very nice second.
“Then after Chelsea missed their penalty, our celebration with the followers and the staff was a particular second and one I’ll always remember and hopefully we are able to recreate one thing comparable on Sunday.
“It was an excellent expertise to look again on however I’m simply making an attempt to deal with getting good outcomes.”
Kelleher is about for his longest run within the staff as first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who has already missed the final three matches with a hamstring harm, is sidelined till after subsequent month’s worldwide break.
As back-up the 25-year-old has by no means performed greater than three consecutive video games for the membership however, after an analogous run in November and December when Alisson was injured, he now has an opportunity to play an enormous half within the quest for silverware because the membership proceed to combat on 4 fronts.
“It could solely assist having a run of video games because it will get you in an excellent rhythm and it fills me with confidence taking part in week in, week out,” he added.
“It’s good for me as I can get that rhythm and that relationship with the staff. It could solely assist.”
Alisson is one in every of a big variety of absences, which incorporates Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones, with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai dealing with late health exams.
Liverpool’s midweek win over Luton confirmed how a lot their sources have been stretched, with three defenders and 5 academy gamers on the bench, however assistant supervisor Pep Lijnders mentioned there can be no excuses made.
“I feel the great factor we all the time did up to now is have a look at what we’ve got,” he mentioned.
“It’s additionally good in life to simply settle for what you’ve got and don’t look (at) what you don’t have, in order that’s what we are attempting to do.
“It introduced us success up to now, so we attempt to preserve that up.
“This season is a season the place we created already three or 4 new groups in a single season – that didn’t occur loads within the final years.
“It’s a praise for our squad, it’s a praise for the academy.”
