Caoimhin Kelleher set Kepa Arrizabalaga up for failure inside the Carabao Cup very last between Liverpool and Chelsea because of his fantastic penalty, one pundit has said.
The Reds’ Republic of Ireland global stopper started Sunday’s Wembley showpiece following his exceptional record earlier within the tournament. He performed 4 of Liverpool’s six video games on the manner to glory. One of those saw him famous person in the penalty-shootout win over Leicester within the quarter-finals.
As a end result, Kelleher stored his location at Wembley and did no longer disappoint. The 23-yr-vintage saved a Kai Havertz effort within the first half, however then did the harm in the spot kicks along with his feet.
While neither goalkeeper saved a penalty, Kelleher – who used to play outfield in his young people – slotted his penalty to make it eleven-10 to Liverpool.
And Kepa then blazed his attempt over to send the Liverpool enthusiasts at that end of the ground into ecstasy. According to Garth Crooks, Kelleher merits reward for his standout returned-up role when required.
The pundit wrote in his BBC Sport Team of the Week column: “I must say, whenever I’ve seen Caoimhin Kelleher play in goal for Liverpool he appears totally unflappable.
“He is going approximately his job as though saving dreams is the least essential component on his mind and but I can’t ever consider seeing the Republic of Ireland global allow Liverpool down.
“The Carabao Cup very last is like several very last, complete of hysteria and tension. But for Kelleher it regarded like a schooling consultation.
“I’m positive it wasn’t however in the course of this top notch football match Kelleher didn’t simplest hold his nerve but virtually gained Liverpool the fit.”
In truth, Crooks added that Kelleher’s penalty proved mentally decisive for Kepa finally missing.
