Jurgen Klopp On Young Star After Liverpool's Nail-Biting Win: 'He Saved Our Life'

Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, saying the Irishman "saved our life" after Liverpool defeated Leicester City on penalties in the quarter-final of the League Cup on Wednesday.

Kelleher made two brilliant saves during the penalties to set up Liverpool's meeting with Arsenal in the last four.

Klopp also complimented Kelleher for his overall performance.

"Yeah, of course, it's important [on how big a moment it was for Kelleher]. But he is an outstanding goalkeeper; with his feet, game understanding, all the goalie skills. John [Achterberg] and Jack [Robinson] over the years did an incredible job with the boy, it's really outstanding. And in the end Caoimh, not only with the penalties but the save against Albrighton's finish as well," Klopp said after Reds' memorable night at Anfield on Wednesday, according to Liverpool's official website.

"It's not the first time he was part of these spectacular games, against Arsenal [in 2019] it was similar. But now he is even a step further. Like I said, he saved our life, was really helpful tonight," added Klopp in the same interview.

A brace from Jamie Vardy put Leicester 2-0 up within 14 minutes from kick-off. Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored the home side's first goal to make it 1-2 in the 19th minute. Just before the half-time break, James Maddison scored Leicester's third goal.

Diogo Jota headed a superb pass from Takumi Minamino past Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel at the 68th minute.

Minamino then took the match to penalties when he controlled James Milner's cross and fired it past Schmeichel, who had already denied Jota an equalizer with a brilliant reaction save.

Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain scored before Kelleher denied Leicester's Luke Thomas a goal. Minamino had a golden chance to become the hero of the day but the Japanese forward fired the penalty strike over the bar.

However, Leicester's Ryan Bertrand missed his strike from the spot, giving Jota the chance to finish it off for the Reds and the Portuguese forward did not disappoint.

"The first leg [semi-final] will be played at Emirates Stadium, with the return fixture to be hosted at Anfield. The semi-final ties are scheduled to be played in the weeks commencing January 3 and 10," Liverpool confirmed in an official release.

With eight titles each, Liverpool and Manchester City are the most successful teams in the League Cup. Since Pep Guardiola's side has already been eliminated, Liverpool have a great opportunity ahead of them to take the lead by winning this season's trophy.