CAOIMHIN KELLEHER had to be reminded that he had clinched a ‘mad’ Carabao Cup final win for Liverpool.
Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp has told the Irish hero that his name will now be placed alongside other legendary keepers on a special wall the the training ground.
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher scored the winning penalty in the Carabao Cup shootout victory over Chelsea
Irish shot-stopper Kelleher made a number of key saves to prevent the Blues from scoring at Wembley
Kelleher scored the 11th and decisive spot-kick under enormous pressure as a gripping clash with Chelsea went to a sudden death shootout.
He said: “It’s a mad one. I thought I would have saved one. I got close to a few but when it came down to me I didnt realise I had scored the winning penalty.
“I forgot I scored the winning one. All the penalties from the lads were class so I was just happy to score.
“I got my hand on a few but all the penalties were very high quality but thankfully we were able to win.
“The manager said ‘Well done for scoring the winning penalty’. Obviously there’s a wall at Liverpool with all the goalies that have won cups and he said ‘now is your chance to get on that’.”
Absent-minded Kelleher’s heroics clinched a first domestic cup win for Klopp and the first for a decade for Liverpool.
Klopp said: “It’s been a quite journey from the boy I first saw to the man he is now. I first saw the tremendous potential. The development is top class.
“Alisson Becker is the best in the world for me, but Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No2 for me.
“The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. He made two incredible saves – maybe more. He proved the decision to line him up was absolutely right. Top class.
“They call this the people’s cup and it was nice to celebrate with the people but this was a whole squad journey.
“The match was like two lions going for each other. At the start of the game Chelsea were clearly better but then we were dominant.
“It’s good. We were here and lost the final in a penalty shoot out six or seven years ago. But no one talks about it. That’s the life of a professional sportsperson.
“We are more experienced. For 120 minutes you cannot hold Chelsea back and they had their chances and I’m really happy.
“Happy for us because it’s the first time for this group but the ninth for the club. The fans were happy with the thing tonight.
Kelleher justified Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start him over No1 Alisson
“We really loved it and it was nice to have the opportunity to celebrate with people.”
A thrilling game saw FOUR goals disallowed for offsides and Klopp admits the jury is still out for him on VAR.
He said: “It’s not our favourite subject. It’s A tricky one to understand – obviously space to improve .
“They had more goals disallowed than us so it must be harsh for them to take.”
