Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher received criticism from Chris Sutton for a second-half moment in the Reds’ Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Fulham.
The 25-year-old Reds stopper is Jurgen Klopp‘s Carabao Cup keeper and made his fifth start in this year’s competition on Wednesday night.
In the 55th minute of the match, Kelleher missed his attempt to catch Willian’s ball into the box, but was handed a reprieve when Andreas Pereira smashed his shot onto the post.
Sutton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was not impressed with what he saw from the Reds goalkeeper as Fulham pressed for an equaliser.
“I think Darwin Nunez picked the wrong pass, he should have picked out Luis Diaz’s run,” Sutton said, via the BBC Sport website.
“At the other end Caoimhin Kelleher makes a mess of the cross, he completely mistimes it, Andreas Pereira against the post from an angle.”
Mixed night for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher as Reds go through to Carabao Cup final
Kelleher also could’ve potentially done better for Issa Diop’s goal, but he saved well in the first half from Raul Jimenez and from Willian
In the second half, the Irishman went on to make a good save to keep out a dangerous Harry Wilson effort.
Sutton claimed that the Liverpool man was fortunate to keep the ball out, saying: “Harry Wilson has been the difference maker, Caoimhin Kelleher gets so lucky the ball somehow goes round the post.”
Kelleher and his teammates ultimately did enough as Liverpool drew 1-1 on the night but held on for a 3-2 aggregate win in the tie.
The result enabled the Reds to book a spot in their 14th League Cup final, where they’ll take on Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25 February.
