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John Achterberg told Caoimhin Kelleher to practise penalty kick as a ‘joke’ before Liverpool Carabao Cup triumph

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 2 March 2022 6:45, UK

Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has revealed he told Caoimhin Kelleher to take a penalty in the Reds’ last training session before the Carabao Cup final.

The second-choice Reds stopper produced an impressive display on Sunday at Wembley, keeping several Chelsea efforts out.

Then, in the ensuing penalty shootout, all 20 outfield players scored for their respective teams.

This meant Kelleher and Chelsea stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga would go up against one another.

While the Liverpool keeper fired in a great penalty, his opposite number ballooned his effort over the bar.

The Reds won the penalty shootout 11-10 and ensured that the Carabao Cup would go to Anfield.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp decided ahead of the final to select Kelleher ahead of Alisson in goal.

It was a bold decision, but one that paid off handsomely for the Reds.

Achterberg, speaking to , said he told Kelleher to have a go from the spot in training.

The Liverpool coach admitted that it was “more of a joke than anything serious” at the time.

Nonetheless, Achterberg was glad to see Kelleher remain calm and put the spot kick away.

“I told Caoimhin to take one himself before we went in because you never know, but it was more a joke than being serious,” Achterberg said.

“I certainly didn’t think it would come down to him taking one in front of 85,000 under so much pressure on Sunday but he stayed calm and put it away brilliantly.”

Liverpool won the League Cup for a record ninth time, and Sunday was their first triumph at Wembley in a decade.

Up next for the Reds is Wednesday’s FA Cup fifth-round clash with Norwich at Anfield.