A WHOLE JOTA LOVE FOR PENS
Battling Reds hit back to win on a shootout
DIOGO JOTA put Liverpool into the League Cup semis with a nerveless penalty in a dramatic shootout.
The Portguese sub sparked an incredible fightback from Jurgen Klopp’s young team against a Leicester side who led 2-0 and 3-1, with Taki Minamino setting up penalties with a 95th-minute equaliser.
Minamino had the chance to seal it from 12 yards after young Reds keeper Caoimhin Kelleher had saved from Luke Thomas but he blazed over.
But with the contest in sudden death, Kelleher saved Ryan Bertrand’s attempt and Jota stepped up to convert and send Anfield into raptures.
Minamino produced a stunning equaliser in the 95th minute just as it seemed Jamie Vardy had repelled Klopp’s never-say die kids.
The German had made 10 changes and turned to his young players in an attempt to give his Covid-hit senior players some respite before the Christmas onslaught.
Against a makeshift Reds backline, with injury-hit Gomez making his first start since October alongside teenager Billy Koumieto, it was easy pickings for Jamie Vardy.
Not only did 19-year-old Koumieto start, so too did Neco Williams, 20, Tyler Morton 19, and 18-year-old Conor Bradley, making just his second start for Liverpool.
Within nine minutes of kickoff, Vardy had exploited that ruthlessly. As Liverpool gave the ball away in midfield, James Maddison produced a delicious
LIVERPOOL .... 3 LEICESTER .... LIVERPOOL WIN 5-4 ON PENS ball for the striker to exploit Koumieto’s bad positioning, and run through and finish.
Four minutes later he did it again. Patson Daka’s cross found Vardy blind side of the defence for another decisive finish. Yet Liverpool rallied thanks to a fine finish from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on 19 minutes, and soon after Minamino could have levelled with a chance inside the box.
But it was only a brief respite
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from Vardy’s cruel examination and twice before the break he had opportunities to complete the hat-trick.
Another mistake gave Leicester the ball in dangerous territory and Maddison’s shot sailed over the head of the flailing Kelleher from 25 yards.
Klopp had seen enough and brought on the cavalry at half time, with Jota producing more menace up front, and Ibrahima Konate calmer at the back, and
Jota set up that grandstand finish with a clever shot after good work from Minamino.
Minamino went from hero to villain when he missed the spot-kick in the shootout that would have sealed a semi-final place.
But moments later Jota got the chance to be the hero form 12 yards, and he made no mistake. And equal credit has to go to keeper Kelleher who made two superb stops in the shootout. Liverpool are now in their first League Cup semifinal since 2017