InterviewCaoimhin Kelleher on 'tough' West Ham, shootouts and cup ambitions
Liverpool have no shortage of incentives as they prepare for a Carabao Cup quarter-final showdown with West Ham United, explained Caoimhin Kelleher.
Many of the Reds squad have fresh memories of the joy that success in the competition can provide, having been part of the team’s triumph at Wembley in 2022.
Kelleher, of course, was a key figure then, featuring frequently throughout the run and actually scoring the winner in the penalty shootout against Chelsea in the final.
And there’s a hunger within the squad to create more of those experiences, the goalkeeper detailed ahead of Wednesday night’s Anfield tie versus the Hammers.
“It’s the quarter-finals now so it will be a big game for us, in front of Anfield as well,” Kelleher, who is set to start the 8pm GMT kick-off, told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s going to be a tough game against West Ham but hopefully we can get the win and go one step closer to Wembley again.
“Obviously I’ve had some great moments in this competition. Personally, it has given me a lot of chances to get games and stuff like that. I only have good memories when this competition comes around, so I’m always excited to play in it.”
Recalling the emotions felt when the players lifted the trophy almost two years ago, the Republic of Ireland international continued: “I think for the whole team it’s a great memory for us, to be honest.
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Watch on YouTube“It’s nice that you can win a trophy so early on in the season, in February – it gives the team a really good positive feeling to try to finish off the season as well.
“We had a really good feeling when we won that, so I think it’s really good memories for the whole of the squad.”
In the last round, West Ham defeated Premier League leaders Arsenal 3-1 to advance, while David Moyes’ side journey to Anfield on the back of successive home wins and clean sheets.
They beat SC Freiburg 2-0 in the Europa League before a 3-0 result against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top flight on Sunday.
“West Ham are obviously a quality side, we saw at the weekend they beat Wolves 3-0, so they are coming in good form as well,” said Kelleher.
“So it’ll be a tough game, it was a tough game when we played them in the league already this season at home. We just need to prepare right for it.
“The whole team knows it will be a tough game but hopefully we can get through and get the win.”
Across his 30 appearances for the Reds to date, Kelleher has already managed to save more penalties in shootouts – six – than any other ’keeper in club history, and has a 100 per cent winning record in them too.
Spot-kicks will be used to decide the meeting with West Ham if the score is level after 90 minutes, with no extra-time at this stage of the tournament.
“It’s not bad!” he said of his record. “Maybe there might be a few more this season, you never know, so hopefully try to add to it.
“We always work on it as a whole goalkeeping department, we’re always big on those things. I’ve been lucky that we’ve won quite a few.”