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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Connor O'Neill & Jake Stokes

Caoimhin Kelleher's first words after Liverpool Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley

Caoimhin Kelleher has revealed what Jurgen Klopp told him in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley.

The Irishman scored the winning penalty in the shootout at the home of English football after the game finished 0-0 after 120 minutes of action.

Kelleher was given the nod to start over Alisson Becker after he had played in all but two of Liverpool’s games on their route to the final.

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And the Reds youngster repaid the faith his boss had shown in him with two impressive stops to deny Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku in the game.

While in the shootout, the Republic of Ireland international was unlucky not to stop a number of the 10 penalties Thomas Tuchel’s side dispatched.

But after Kelleher coolly converted from 12-yards, he then watched on as opposite number Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was brought on for the shootout, blazed over the bar.

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“It’s a mad one. I thought I saved one, I didn’t,” the Irishman said in the immediate aftermath of the shootout.

“I got close to a few and then when it came down to me I didn’t even think I scored the winning penalty - I forgot I scored the winning one. All the penalties from the lads were class so just happy to score.”

Before Kelleher added on his own penalty, saying: “It was more hit and hope. I got close to a few, got a hand on a few.

“All the penalties to be fair were a very high quality so thankfully we were able to win.”

While the Liverpool youngster also revealed what Klopp had to say to him in before his side went up to lift the trophy.

“He just said well done for scoring the winning penalty,” Kelleher revealed to Sky Sports. “So obviously there is a wall at Liverpool with all the goalies who have won cups, and he said now is your chance, you can go on that.”

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