Interview'We want to go all the way' - Kelleher's Carabao Cup message

Having advanced through the competition with away victories at Norwich City and then Preston North End so far this season, the Reds host Leicester City at Anfield in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

It’s an occasion Kelleher and the squad are relishing, and the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper detailed just what it would mean to continue progression in a cup the club last lifted almost a decade ago.

“Really excited,” he told Liverpoolfc.com. “I think it has been a while now since [my] last game, so just looking forward to getting back out there – especially now a home game in front of the Liverpool fans, it will be a special night for all of us.

“Obviously every competition we enter or we’re in, we’re in it to win it. We’re taking it very seriously. It’s a competition as well where, as you’ve seen over the years, youngsters get a chance and an opportunity to play.

“When they’re in and especially when I’m in, we take it as seriously as we can. We want to go all the way and try to win it. We’ve not won it for a few years so it would be nice to try to win it this year.”

Standing in the way of Liverpool’s target of a ninth League Cup success are Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, who themselves lifted the Emirates FA Cup in May.

The Foxes will come into the game having not played a fixture for 10 days, adding a layer of unpredictability to the Reds’ challenge on the evening.

“Obviously Leicester are a top-class side. They have had a few matches postponed but I think they’ll be more than ready now,” said Kelleher, who started the tie at Norwich in this year’s competition.

“We’re not quite sure what side they’ll play but whatever side they do play, they have a strong identity in the way they play and I’m sure it’ll be a tough game for us.”

Jürgen Klopp deployed a combination of youth and experience for the wins over Norwich and Preston in previous rounds, including senior debuts for Owen Beck, Harvey Blair, Conor Bradley, Kaide Gordon and Tyler Morton across the two games.

It’s a pathway Kelleher has walked himself, the stopper earning his first chances at the level in the Carabao Cup back in 2019-20, before subsequently stepping up to Premier League and Champions League action when required.

Asked how the conditions at the AXA Training Centre are optimised for young players to flourish, he said: “A lot of it is down to the Academy coaches, they have a big part to play. When you’re down there they prepare you for if you do get an opportunity at first-team level, you’re able to take it.

“Also, when you come up and maybe train with the first team before getting your chance to play, you’ve had a chance to get used to it, the players will all help you and the coaches up here are obviously first-class and they help you as well.

“So when you do get that chance you’re well prepared for it and it’s just up to you to try to take that chance.”