Liverpool edged out Leicester City in a dramatic game to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool defeated Leicester City in the penalty-shootouts after a tense 3-3 draw in the normal time. The Reds reached the semi-finals as their youngsters displayed a convincing performance.
Anfield drama!
Leicester City started the game with a perfect rhythm as they started attacking from the first minute. Jamie Vardy opened the scoring in the ninth minute before stunning the hosts with another goal four minutes later.
Following Vardy’s second goal, Liverpool immediately started their attacks to get back into the game. They got one back through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s strike in the 19th minute.
However, James Maddison made it 3-1 only 15 minutes later. The Leicester star collected a ball outside Liverpool’s box, before smashing it past Allison with a stunning long-range shot.
Liverpool dominated the possession during the second half, but they were not able to score until the 68th minute. Following a mixup between Leicester defenders, Takumi Minamino found Diogo Jota inside the box. The Portuguese forward smashed the ball behind Peter Schmeichel as soon as he got his feet to it.
Liverpool pushed hard to get the equalizer in the final ten minutes. The Reds finally got what they wanted in the last minute of the extra time. A brilliant cross from Milner found Minamino, who made it 3-3 in the 95th minute.
An unexpected Penalty hero!
Following the regular time draw, the game went into the penalties to find its winner. Both teams scored their first three penalties before Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher saved Luke Thomas’ shot.
Liverpool had the chance to win the game by scoring their fifth penalty. However, Minamino failed to score, only for the drama to continue for a few more minutes.
Kelleher completed his brilliant performance by saving Ryan Bertrand’s penalty. But this time, Diogo Jota sent his spot-kick home to win the game for Liverpool.
The Reds qualify for the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup alongside Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal. Liverpool will face Leeds United in their next league game on Sunday before meeting Leicester again two days later.
Player Ratings
Liverpool: Kelleher (7); Bradley (6), Gomez (5), Koumetio (6), Tsimikas (7); Henderson (6), Morton (6), Oxlade-Chamberlain (8); Minamino (7), Firmino (7), Williams (6).
Bench: Konate (6), Milner (7), Beck (6), Keita (7), Jota (7).
Leicester: Schmeichel (6); Pereira (6), Soyuncu (7), Soumare (7), Thomas (6); Tielemans (6), Ndidi (6); Maddison (8), Dewsbury-Hall (7), Daka (7); Vardy (8).
Bench: Bertrand (5), Vestergaard (7), Albrighton (6), Iheanacho (6).
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