The scoreline and statistics will never show it. But this latest memorable Liverpool trophy triumph was ultimately a question of faith.
And after a tense, tortuous, tumultuous Wembley encounter, Jurgen Klopp was emphatically rewarded for his belief in what he had long insisted was the right decision.
The Liverpool boss was adamant Caoimhin Kelleher would be thrown the gloves for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea, declaring: “This is his competition.”
Some questioned the seeming show of sentiment with Alisson Becker the undisputed number one and the first part of an unprecedented quadruple on the line.
But there can be absolutely no dispute the young goalkeeper owned the occasion as Liverpool claimed a record ninth League Cup triumph.
RATINGS: Liverpool player ratings as Caoimhin Kelleher the hero in Carabao Cup final win
READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp did before Kepa Arrizabalaga Chelsea penalty miss
Having done as much as anyone to help the Reds keep a clean sheet in a hugely entertaining game that ebbed and flowed all the way to a dramatic penalty shoot-out, Kelleher found himself in a position he simply couldn’t have imagined as, after 20 unerringly successful kicks, he placed the ball on the spot for his turn.
Facing him was Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel having brought on the goalkeeper at the end of extra time specifically for the penalties in place of Edouard Mendy, who had repelled everything Liverpool had thrown at him.
Kelleher - the shoot-out hero in the quarter-final win over Leicester City - confidently thumped his effort into the top corner and then, seconds later, watched as the hapless Kepa ballooned high into the jubilant Liverpool fans.
It had taken Kelleher just six minutes to justify everything his manager and team-mates had been saying about him in the build-up.
*Give us your LFC player ratings:
As Chelsea sought to take advantage of the Reds understandably being thrown by the late withdrawal of Thiago Alcantara, Kai Havertz and Cesar Azpilicueta combined to release Christian Pulisic unmarked inside the area.
It appeared a certain goal until Kelleher flew out an arm to make an instinctive point-blank save and clear the danger.
If there any nerves with the 23-year-old – and his calm demeanour suggests that isn’t likely – they were instantly banished.
Kelleher was assured and confident in everything he did, and produced another example of his reactions by flinging out a foot to deny Romelu Lukaku at his near post at the end of normal time.
Then came the penalties. And the unlikely hero was the one Klopp had known would come good along. This really was Kelleher's competition.
