Caoimhin Kelleher was the hero for Liverpool as they beat Chelsea on penalties to win the Carabao Cup on Sunday at Wembley.
Kelleher did not manage to save a single one of Chelsea’s 11 spot-kicks, but still came out on the winning side thanks to Kepa Arrizabalaga’s miss.
The Liverpool goalkeeper would have been hoping to win it for his side with his hands, yet it was his penalty which proved decisive in their 11-10 victory after a 0-0 draw.
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to play the 23-year-old instead of first-choice keeper Alisson Becker was a huge one and Kelleher rewarded him for it.
Kelleher has proven to be a reliable shot-stopper in the cup competitions this season and Klopp stuck by him, even after his opposite number opted to change before the shoot-out.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel started Edouard Mendy, who made several outstanding saves, but still decided to swap the Cameroon international for Kepa in the final minute of extra-time.
The Spaniard is viewed as a better penalty saver than Mendy, but he failed to keep out any before blasting over when it was his turn to take one.
Kelleher, who also made a few crucial stops in normal time, has made just 17 appearances in total for Liverpool, yet has already proven to be a lucky charm in penalty shoot-outs.
According to Opta , Sunday’s victory over Chelsea means the Irishman has now won three shoot-outs with Liverpool, more than any other goalkeeper in the team’s history.
That is quite the accolade for Kelleher, who came through the Liverpool academy after joining the club in 2015.
"It’s a mad one,” he told Sky Sports post-match.
“I got close to a few when it came down to me I didn’t even think I had scored the winning penalty.
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“I’d forgotten I’d got the winning one. All the lads were class, I was just happy to score.”
Kelleher’s own penalty was impressive, being rifled into the top corner, but he admitted there was not much thought behind it.
"It was more hit and hope,” he smiled. “I got close to a few but all the penalties were very high quality. Thankfully we were able to win.”
Klopp was caught on camera having a quiet word with Kelleher on the pitch in the aftermath of their win and the young goalkeeper revealed what he said.
He explained: "He just said 'well done for scoring the winning penalty, there's a wall with all the goalkeepers on who have won cups so now you can go on that.'"
While Alisson will keep his place in the Premier League, Kelleher could get another chance to impress in the FA Cup.
Liverpool face the Premier League’s bottom side Norwich in the fifth round of the competition on Wednesday before preparing to play West Ham on Saturday.
