Reaction'We can use Wolves win and clean sheet to push on'
Caoimhin Kelleher believes Liverpool’s character and spirit was key to recording a 1-0 Emirates FA Cup third-round replay win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday.
The goalkeeper, who delivered an impressive performance in the Molineux contest, also saluted Harvey Elliott’s ‘unreal’ match-winning strike.
The victory means the holders progress to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the competition, with the contest set for Sunday January 29 (kick-off 1.30pm GMT).
Kelleher says a collective desire to deliver an immediate response to last weekend’s Premier League defeat against the Seagulls was foremost in the players’ minds ahead of the Wolves encounter.
“The last few days have been about getting back to basics, making sure we’re compact and hard to break down,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “I think we showed we’re capable of doing that.
Highlights: Wolves 0-1 Liverpool
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“The most important thing was the result and I think we bounced back really well from the weekend. That was the main idea tonight – to bounce back and put in a good performance. I feel we did that.
“The team shape was really good, really strong. We didn’t have many shots or chances conceded. The whole team did very well.”
On Elliott’s superb winning goal, Kelleher added: “It was an unreal strike. Harvey was brilliant for the whole game and that goal just summed up his performance.
“The clean sheet was important for us, and the goal was a stunner.”
Liverpool controlled much of the game from the outset at Molineux, with the Reds carrying a consistent attacking threat while defending with purpose and determination.
In midfield, 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic also impressed alongside experienced duo Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita.
Kelleher, meanwhile, was a calm and authoritative presence in goal. His standout moment of the game came on 73 minutes, when he made a fine fingertip stop from Ruben Neves’ free-kick.
The 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international believes the victory can now spark a positive run of form for the Reds.
“It was a hard-fought away win,” Kelleher said. “Sometimes you just need to grind out results and that’s what we did tonight. We showed some great character.
“I think getting a clean sheet and a win tonight will fill us full of confidence and hopefully we can use this result to push on.
“We look forward to the next game at the weekend [against Chelsea] and hopefully build from there.”