Liverpool and Arsenal played out an unforgettable encounter in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday night, with a topsy-turvy game ending 5-5 before the Reds triumphed in a shoot-out.
A youthful side picked by Jurgen Klopp started on the front foot and took an early lead, before defensive inexperience was on show and the Gunners took control.
However, in a determined showing reminiscent of that which the first team have shown on occasions this season, the second-string side came from 4-2 and 5-4 down to force penalties late on.
Jurgen Klopp had praised the relentless nature of the game and his young players for seizing their chance.
One of those who epitomised the evening with an up-and-down display was goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who perhaps could have done more with one or two of Arsenal’s goals, but ended as one of the heroes after saving a penalty from Dani Ceballos.
“As soon as the final whistle went, all the focus was on trying to save in the shootout,” he told the club website.
“Some of the lads and the coaches said to me, ‘You’ve nothing to lose, just try to be the hero.’ And luckily I did it in the end.
“It was a bit of a whirlwind. I’m obviously happy but it’s just hard to sum it up at the moment. It has all gone by quite quickly. It’s just unreal, to be honest.”
Kelleher also praised the team mentality which saw Liverpool refuse to bow out, protecting the unbeaten run at Anfield which now stretches back more than a year across all competitions.
“We have a never-say-die attitude and we showed that once again, coming from behind on a few occasions.
“Div [Divock Origi] scored an unreal goal to keep us in it. It just goes right through the whole squad that we’ll never give up.”
After Kelleher saved from Ceballos and Origi himself netted Liverpool’s fourth, it fell to local Academy product Curtis Jones to take the telling fifth and final spot-kick.
Having started the match on the bench, Jones came on to claim an assist for Origi’s first goal and switched with the Belgian striker to ensure he took the last penalty himself, unbeknownst to Klopp.
Showing the self-confidence for which he has become known around Melwood, Jones explained his approach to entering the game and stepping up from 12 yards.
“Just to pick my spot and don’t change, be composed. I work on them every day in training. That’s my preferred place – I stuck to that and I was lucky enough that it went in.
“As I was warming up, I knew if I came on, I had to make an impact. And that’s what I did. I got the assist for Div. The lads performed well and we came away with the win.
“We showed character, we showed belief and we showed heart. We’re happy we finally won. It was for the fans.
“I know from this being my boyhood club, and being a fan, how big the fans are on nights like this. That’s what drove us until the end.
Two-goal hero Origi also praised the team’s ability to overcome adversity, a trait which he has been a key part of throughout the calendar year.
“In this club that’s one of our values – we just never give up regardless of what happens.
“Today I’m just happy [for] the young guys. I was in that position once and seeing them play and enjoying the game, seeing the fans always pushing us regardless of what happens, I think it’s just very special.”
