Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had faith the Anfield crowd would inspire the team to a comeback against Leicester City on Wednesday, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has revealed.
The Reds eventually prevailed 5-4 on penalties in their League Cup quarter-final after an absorbing 3-3 draw in normal time.
Jamie Vardy's early brace had put the Foxes 2-0 ahead in the first period and while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to halve the deficit, James Maddison's long-range effort restored the visitors' two-goal advantage at half time.
However, Klopp made three changes at the break and it sparked a brilliant fightback, with Diogo Jota giving the Reds a foothold in the game before Takumi Minamino scored deep into injury time to take the tie to penalties.
READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp did at full time shows truth about Liverpool boss and the League Cup
In the shootout, Kelleher saved from Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand, before Jota slotted the decisive kick.
Speaking to Liverpool's official website after the match, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper revealed that despite the team's struggles in the first half, the manager always had belief that the game could flip.
"We didn’t get off to a great start and at half-time we’re obviously 3-1 down, [but] we actually felt quite confident because the goals we gave away were kind of mostly our fault really, giving the ball away," he said.
"The manager just said at half-time, ‘If you get the next goal this crowd will get up and anything can happen.’ So we always believe right to the end and that showed."
Kelleher has proven himself to be a capable deputy to starting goalkeeper Alisson Becker, turning in a number of impressive performances when given opportunities in cup competitions.
The Irishman will be hopeful of keeping his place even as a potential Wembley final creeps closer into view.
Liverpool have an excellent chance of making the final of the tournament too, having drawn Arsenal in the two-legged semi-final with the second fixture to be played at Anfield.
