Liverpool produced a stunning comeback to reach the semi final of the EFL Cup after a dramatic late shoot out.
That set up a showdown with Arsenal for a place in the final, and afterward an emotional Jurgen Klopp called for the semi to be played over one game, to ease the intense pressure of fixtures on player.
The Reds manager even admitted, after the penalty shoot out win over Leicester, that he is happy to play one game at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, but suggested his voice would not be heard, with the tie due to be played over two legs, home and away.
“I think it will be better with one game absolutely, but obviously what is say is not important,” he said.
“Look, I have been speaking out about player welfare not just this year, but for the past six years or longer. But the only thing I do is to create headlines not change.
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“If the things I say would help more I would say it more often. Tomorrow at at 4pm we have a meeting, but with the Premier League not the EFL.
”Of course I would prefer one game and the draw is at Arsenal first so fine, we can play there and see who is better and go from there. But I really can’t see any changes to be honest.”
Klopp was overjoyed with his young side’s mentality as they came back from 2-0 and 3-1 down, to force the penalty shoot out, thanks to Taki Minamino’s 95th minute equaliser. And it was sub Diogo Jota who won it with the decisive sudden death penalty.
And the Reds boss said: “Taki deserved that incredible moment and that goal, because he was outstanding, and Diogo of course when you can bring him in that shape he makes a difference.”
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was philosophical after the agonising defeat, even though his side had the game in their hands after dominating the first half.
He revealed that Jamie Vardy was struggling with a tight hamstring so didn’t take a penalty in the decisive shoot out, and he said: “We couldn’t take Vardy off, and we had players who have only been back a day or two, others playing out of position.
“So to come here, and show this incredible spirit, to take Liverpool right to the very death, shows you the mentality and courage we played with.”
On the performance of referee Andy Madley, Rodgers added: "I thought the referee was poor all night.
“There were bookings that should have gone in the first half, Madders [James Maddison] is away and if he is away he makes the pass and then we are through into the dangerous position.
“It was Jordan Henderson who was clever and took the foul, but there was no yellow card. In the second half he was given a yellow card for not a great deal."
