Klopp: Kelleher is the best No 2 keeper in World Football

Jurgen Klopp has showered Caoimhin Kelleher with deserved praise after the Irishman scored the decisive penalty in a epic Carabao Cup final.

Liverpool and Chelsea were like two heavyweight boxers going blow for blow in a 12 round title bout.

At different times, the team from the Red and Blue corner were on the ropes but try as they might, their opponent could not land the tellling knockout blow.

In keeping with the titanic 120 minute contest , the penalty shootout was just as captivating as every outfield player scored their penalties with aplomb leaving it to the two keepers to see whether they get one over their contemporary.

As he has done whenever taking to the pitch for the club, Kelleher was composed and fearless as he slotted the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga.

But when it was the turn of the Chelsea reserve keeper, the Spaniard blazed the over sending Liverpool players, coaches and fans alike into absolute raptures.

Any fan of the club will tell you that Liverpool never do anything the easy way, while compelling Cup finals (and indeed victories) are part of the DNA of the club. 

Speaking after the euphoric encounter (per the Official site), Klopp firstly spoke about the journey that Kelleher has been on during his tenure.

“So I don't know when I saw Caoimhin the first time but it's true, it's quite a journey from when I saw him the first time, from the boy I saw the first time to the man he is today.

“I saw from the first second that he is in an incredible talent. First John Achterberg, then Jack Robinson joined us since then as well, the boys are very, very positive. And if you know how a football team works and you know that goalies are very often separate, so I don't see them all the time but I see them in decisive moments. 

“So, the development is absolutely top-class. Alisson Becker is the best goalie in the world, for me. There are goalies out there but this goalie is absolutely insane. But to be 100 per cent honest, for me Caoimhin Kelleher is the best No.2 in the world as well, especially for the way we play.

There was plenty of conjecture leading up to the final over Klopp’s decision to stick with the young Irishman in goal instead of the usual No 1 in Alisson.

But the manager never deviated from his plan and was duly rewarded. was adamant in his own mind.

“People asked me rightly two weeks ago or something if we will give Caoimhin another game to get some rhythm or whatever. To be 100 per cent honest, it was the first time I thought about it, 'Yeah, he has rhythm.' But that's the life of a No.2, especially for a young No.2, that you just have to be ready when you are called.

“The game he played tonight was absolutely incredible. I'm not 100 per cent sure I have the full story of the whole game but I can remember at least two incredible saves – probably there were more. 

“So, he proved that the decision to line him up was absolutely right. And then in a very spectacular penalty shootout, he showed the whole range of his skillset. First and foremost, he's a goalkeeper but he finished one off with his really skilled feet. Top-class.”