AnalysisTalking points: Falling in love again, ‘Man like Kelleher’, Taki’s record and more

The Reds were 3-1 down in the tie but staged a second-half fightback to take it to a shootout, where they emerged 5-4 winners.

Here are five talking points from another memorable night at L4...

A night to fall in love (again)

It was a reminder – not that we needed another one – of how belief and fight runs through every inch of this Liverpool squad.

A different competition with a different line-up, but still a team in red that leaves you amazed at the final whistle.

"I loved them before but I fell in love again," Jürgen Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com afterwards. “Because it's such incredible character what they show more often than not.”

Indeed, it was that kind of night.

A trio of half-time changes helped swing the game in Liverpool's favour, with Diogo Jota, James Milner and Ibrahima Konate a key part of the breathless 45 minutes that followed. Naby Keita also left his mark on the contest with a brilliant half-hour cameo.

Anfield was raucous after Jota made it 3-2, but those levels were raised in the fifth minute of injury time when Takumi Minamino sent the tie to a shootout with a fine Kop-end finish.

By the time it got to the spot-kicks, it seemed like there'd only be one winner.

"It's a special group," the boss added.

'Man like Kelleher'

A Virgil van Dijk adage from October 2019 popped up after the successful penalty shootout.

Caoimhin Kelleher saved penalties from Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand to set up Jota's decider.

They were the highlights of another assured display between the sticks from the Republic of Ireland international.

It's now the second time Kelleher has been the hero in the shootout of a League Cup tie, repeating his heroics from the 5-5 with Arsenal that prompted Van Dijk's tweet.

On his mindset for penalties, the goalkeeper said: "I enjoy the moment, it’s a nice moment.

"There’s not much pressure on you, if you don’t save it [then] it is what it is, but I always relish it and enjoy the chance to try to make a save."

Taki time

Liverpool's No.18 continued his love affair with the Carabao Cup.

Minamino's timely goal saw him become the first Red since Vladimir Smicer at the start of the millennium to score in three successive League Cup ties.

In doing so, he took his team-high scoring tally in the competition this season to four, earning plaudits from his manager afterwards.

Klopp said: "He deserved this goal for all the things he did tonight and for all the things he did in the last few months and years. So I’m really happy for him."

Diogoal Jota

Jota had the satisfaction of wrapping up Liverpool's place in the semi-finals, netting the decisive spot-kick. 'Merry Christmas, Reds' was his message post-match.

The forward’s 68th-minute strike kept his side's hopes alive in the game and continued his rich vein of form in front of goal within the last month.

The No.20 now has six goals in his last seven appearances in all competitions.

Klopp assessed: "When you can bring Diogo Jota in the shape he is, it is obviously very helpful."

Absolutely, boss.

Arsenal up next

It's probably no surprise Liverpool were paired with Arsenal in the last four late on Wednesday night.

This will be the third consecutive season the two clubs have met at some stage in the Carabao Cup.

Next month's two-legged affair is set to be the 13th League Cup tie between the Reds and the Gunners – making it the most played fixture in the competition's history.

A place in the Wembley final on February 27 is up for grabs as Liverpool seek a record-breaking ninth League Cup title.