Kellehero! Irish goalie scores winning penalty as Liverpool claim ninth League Cup

Liverpool's backup keeperkept a clean sheet throughout before burying the 21st and last consecutive penalty in the shoot-out

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

Liverpool have clinched their ninth League Cup.

The Reds played out a 0-0 draw over two hours against Chelsea, but got an 11-10 win on penalties.

The day didn't start of in favour for Liverpool - even before Stuart Atwell blew his whistle for the first time. Thiago Alacantara suffered an injury for Liverpool in the warm-ups. This led to Naby Keita joining the starting line-up and Harvey Elliot making the squad. Chelsea took advantage of these distractions, but couldn't convert. Christian Pulisic's point blank shot was denied by Caoihmin Kelleher, while Mason Mount missed two golden opportunities. At the other end, Naby Keita's long range effort was tipped by Edouard Mendy, before Sadio Mane's follow up was tipped over the bar by his AFCON winning teammate. Mo Salah's lob was then cleared off the line by Thiago Silva in the second half.

In the 69th minute, Joel Matip put the ball in the net, with his short range header beating Mendy. However, long after the celebrations had finished, VAR ruled the goal out due to Virgil Van Dijk blocking Reece James while being in an offside position. Kai Havertz also scored, but also saw a flag raised, and the match went to extra time.

Romelu Lukaku, on as a sub, scored a goal in the first half of extra time, but was ruled offside by the thinnest of margins, a goal that some still think was onside. Kai Havertz also scored, but the lineman ruled it off for the fourth time, to a much clearer decision then the Lukaku goal prior.

In the last seconds of extra time, Thomas Tuchel made the decision to bring on Kepa Arrizabalaga, who has saved 14 penalties for Chelsea as opposed to Mendy's two. The decision would backfire, as Kepa watched all eleven Liverpool players, including Kelleher, strike the ball past him before skying his own shot, handing Liverpool the 2022 Carabao Cup.

This is the ninth time Liverpool have won the League Cup in their history, which is a new record.