Caoimhín Kelleher savours ‘amazing moment’ of Carabao Cup win as Virgil van Dijk hails Irish keeper as ‘world class’

Liverpool keeper Caoimhín Kelleher admitted winning the Carabao Cup was another “amazing moment” for him and hopes the trophy can provide the Reds with “momentum” for the rest of the season.

The Corkman, who pulled off a number of top class saves during Liverpool’s Wembley win over Chelsea, said: “It’s hard to sum up, these are the moments you dream of celebrating with fans. It’s obviously another amazing moment for me, I’m delighted.

“Hopefully, we won’t get ahead of ourselves but it’s a great start to give us momentum for the rest of the season winning this first trophy.

“We’ve players to come back, but the young lads have been brilliant as well so we’re in a good place at the minute to keep it going.”

Goalscorer Virgil van Dijk was full of praise for Irish international Kelleher.

He told Sky Sports: “I’m probably one of his biggest fans, I’ve always said he’s world class and he stepped up again today.

“It’s good to see, he’s a good goalkeeper and that’s what we need at a club like Liverpool.”

Van Dijk also praised the efforts of the younger players in the Liverpool squad and hopes they can use this experience to “kick on” throughout the rest of the season.

“When you’re young and you get an opportunity you have to grab it with both hands and it’s easier said than done, but the guys did it,” he said.

“The culture at the club makes them do it again and it’s good to see.

“I’ve said this many times before but it’s a start, they should use this to kick on and I’m sure they will.

“Players will come back in time but they should keep pushing, keep trying to get close to the team and be part of the squad.

“To experience this as a 17, 18 or 19-year-old is only beneficial so let’s see.”

Liverpool match-winner Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “It means so much, all the young boys on the pitch, if you see the extra time it’s incredible, I’m so proud of the team. Intense game for both sides, they had chances and we had chances, amazing. First trophy as a Liverpool captain, it’s all for the fans so let’s enjoy it.”

Asked about the moment his team-mates piled onto their skipper, the Dutchman said: “I didn’t want to get injured there! I tried to get up but I couldn’t. It’s emotion, it’s everything and I’m so proud of the boys, all the young boys playing their part in what we achieved today, it’s incredible and onto more.”

Liverpool are still in contention for three more trophies this season as they look to give Klopp a triumphant send-off but Van Dijk was keen to embrace the present, saying: “You should always savour the good moments and this is definitely one of them. We never take these things for granted. We are very, very blessed, and you see today as well it could have been the other way.

“We could have lost but we didn’t. We did a job, even with all the problems we had before the game. I’m so proud, proud to be part of this club, so proud of the boys. They all played their parts, so credit to the team.”

Watching the departing Klopp celebrate with his side, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, the former Liverpool captain, wondered: “How do you follow that? How do you follow Jurgen Klopp? Who would try to come to Liverpool after what he’s done and what he’s created?

“It’s virtually impossible. It is. The guy is just such a leader of men. He’s led a city, every Liverpool fan around the world has looked up to that man and what he’s achieved, and turned around a club that was at the time struggling, and made everyone believe in what he is trying to achieve.

“And even those young players he’s given opportunities to, the belief that he’s got in all of them, he’s just an incredible human being.”

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