ReactionKelleher: I could never dream I'd score the winning penalty
Caoimhin Kelleher was struggling to describe his emotions after another stunning Carabao Cup performance helped Liverpool win the trophy for 2021-22.
Extended highlights from Wembley
The Republic of Ireland international was a hero for the Reds at Wembley on Sunday as they defeated Chelsea 11-10 on penalties after a goalless draw, lifting the League Cup for a record-breaking ninth time.
Kelleher made multiple important and outstanding saves across the 120 minutes of play and then dispatched a cool spot-kick in the shootout.
His proved the winner for Jürgen Klopp’s men when Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga then missed, making for an experience beyond what Kelleher even dreamed of.
Read the No.62’s post-match interview with Liverpoolfc.com at Wembley below…
Caoimhin, you’ve got your Carabao Cup winner’s medal around your neck, you took what turned out to be our decisive penalty in the shootout, how do you feel?
It’s hard to sum up at the minute. Loads of emotions obviously but I’m just delighted to get the win and it’s a class feeling to win it at Wembley with all of our fans. It’s special.
The first thing you were saying is you didn’t make a save in the shootout, but is that just the life of a goalkeeper sometimes?
Someone said to me afterwards, ‘You scored the winning penalty’ but I wasn’t really bothered about that and I was more bothered that I wanted to make a save! But, thank God, anyway I scored and we got the win.
When you went to bed last night did you have any dreams about how today would pan out?
I was dreaming good things last night, that we would win, but never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d score a penalty at the Liverpool end, the winning penalty. That’s just next level.
We haven’t had an Irish hero for a while but you have certainly put the Irish boys back on the map…
It’s brilliant! The fanbase in Ireland is so big, so to be an Irish player and represent Ireland and for all the Irish Liverpool fans, it feels really good.
When you stepped up to take your penalty did you have it planned what you were going to do?
To be honest, I was going to go the other side. As I ran up I just saw out of the corner of my eye that he [Kepa] was diving that side, so I just wrapped my foot around it. I didn’t mean it to go that high, to be honest.
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How much of an influence has John Achterberg been on you?
Honestly, he’s been brilliant for me. He’s always seen great potential in me and he’s always helped me. From the very first day I came down he’s worked incredibly hard for me and I’ve got a lot to thank him for, and all of the goalkeeper coaches.
What about Alisson, because the fact that Liverpool get to a major final and the fact that Liverpool’s recognised No.1 doesn’t play in it, how supportive has he been to you?
He is brilliant. You saw Chelsea change their goalkeeper at the end as well, so for me to get the faith from the manager was special and Ali has just been great with me. There was no sulking or anything like that, he’s totally focused and he has been really helpful for me.
You made some great saves but the one in stoppage time to deny Romelu Lukaku was brilliant…
It was towards the end of the game, I wasn’t expecting him to get in a shot as he was that close and it struck my leg, thankfully. I’m happy to make some saves and happy to get the win.