Caoimhin Kelleher proved the hero for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool once more as he saved three penalties to help his side to victory in a shoot-out over Derby County on a night where Premier League sides dropped like flies.
Liverpool dominated much of the game but could not find a way past the resolute League One side and, with no extra time in the Carabao Cup, the clash went straight to a penalty shoot-out at Anfield.
It was here that Liverpool’s no.2 excelled once more, having made a name for himself in shoot-outs last season. The Irish goalkeeper saved efforts from Conor Hourihane, Craig Forsyth and Lewis Dobbin, with the last one being the pick of the bunch, to ensure that despite two misses of their own, it was the Reds that booked a spot in the fourth round of the competition.
𝐂𝐚𝐨𝐢𝐦𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🧤
Liverpool are through to the next round of the Carabao Cup following a win over Derby in a penalty shoot-out. 💪 pic.twitter.com/XkC6a54Ylo
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 9, 2022
In doing so, Kelleher also set a new Liverpool record, becoming the goalkeeper with the most penalty shoot-out wins to his name in the club’s history. This comes despite the outing against Derby County being just his 18th game in between the posts, four of which have been decided in Liverpool’s favour by spot kicks.
Two of those were en-route to clinching the same trophy last season, with wins over Leicester City and in the final against Chelsea coming via efforts from 12 yards.
Caoimhín Kelleher has now won more penalty shootouts than any Liverpool goalkeeper in the club’s entire history (4).
Tonight was only his 18th appearance. #LFC #LIVDER
— Michael Reid (@michael_reid11) November 9, 2022
The Reds have avoided a repeat of last season’s final, however, as Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City on a night where plenty of Premier League sides were sent packing.
