Liverpool 3-3 Leicester City (5-4 on pens.): Reds player ratings as Diogo Jota settles pulsating clash | EFL Cup 2021/22
Liverpool beat Leicester City 5-4 on penalties to advance into the semifinals of the 2021/22 EFL Cup.
Diogo Jota scored the winning penalty after the sides played out a pulsating 3-3 draw in normal time.
Two goals from Jamie Vardy had the Foxes leading comfortably after only 13 minutes before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled one back for the hosts.
James Maddison then restored Leicester's two-goal cushion just after the half-hour mark. Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino scored one each in the second period for Liverpool, with the latter's strike coming in the fifth-minute of stoppage-time.
In the shootout, Caoimhin Kelleher made two saves which allowed Jota to win it for the Reds on their sixth spot-kick, eclipsing Minamino's earlier miss.
Into the semi-finals of the @Carabao_Cup we go😍 https://t.co/7Ym8RS8hyR
Liverpool have drawn Arsenal in the last-four of the Carabao Cup.
Here are the player ratings:
Caoimhin Kelleher - 7/10
The youngster wasn't helped by his defense for the most part but he stood firm to make a few good saves during the match. He stepped up in the penalty shootout with two important saves.
Conor Bradley - 5.5/10
He struggled to cope with the game's pace and intensity due to which he was hooked off at half-time.
Joe Gomez - 5/10
He looked sloppy in possession and lacked composure. Gomez had a tough game but looked better with Ibrahima Konate.
Billy Koumetio - 4/10
Like many others, he, too, was thrown into the deep end by Klopp and it certainly backfired with Koumetio looking erroneous all night. He lost possession 10 times in the first half and was taken off after the interval.
Kostas Tsimikas - 6/10
The Greek looked to overlap with forward sprints but lacked the end-product as his crosses were wayward most of the time. Defensively, he was caught out of position a few times. He lost possession off the ball on 16 occasions.
Jordan Henderson - 5/10
The Liverpool skipper had a lot riding on his shoulders, being one of the few first-team regulars in the XI, and suffice to say he didn't come through successfully. He wasn't able to dominate the midfield with his usual interceptions and driving passes.
Tyler Morton - 5/10
Leicester's pace and offensive ability was just too much for Morton to handle. He was also taken off at half-time.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 7.5/10
He reduced the deficit by firing Liverpool's first goal of the night and asked questions of Leicester's defense with frequent dribbles. He also converted his penalty in the shootout.
The Goal of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Liverpool in video ! 🤯🎥
#LIVLEI #LFC 🔴 https://t.co/tAY6XEeoXl
Neco Williams - 5/10
The 20-year-old is not a winger and it showed on the night. He was not very successful with his dribbling or his final delivery.
Roberto Firmino - 7.5/10
The Brazilian's hold-up play was good. He also bagged an assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain. He scored in the shootout.
Takumi Minamino - 7.5/10
He missed quite a few chances during normal time, but redeemed himself with a 95th minute equalizer to force the penalty shootout. However, he did miss from 12 yards out in the shootout.
Takumi Minamino becomes the first player since Vladimir Smicer in 2000-01 to score for the club in 3 successive League Cup games.
He loves the @Carabao_Cup 😍 https://t.co/C8ojIc1C5O
Substitutes
Ibrahima Konate - 7/10
Liverpool looked so much better with him in the side. The summer signing brought a sense of normalcy to Liverpool's chaotic defense.
Diogo Jota - 7.5/10
He scored minutes after coming on and later won the tie by dispatching the winning penalty. Super-sub performance from the Portuguese.
Diogo Jota has scored in six of his last eight games for Liverpool.
⚽️ vs Arsenal
⚽️⚽️ vs Everton
⚽️ vs Southampton
❌ vs Wolves
❌ vs Aston Villa
⚽️ vs Newcastle
⚽️ vs Tottenham
⚽️ vs Leicester
On fire. 🔥 https://t.co/xOl6oSQBv1
James Milner - 6/10
He, too, was on target in the shootouts.
Naby Keita - 7.5/10
The Guinean star brought some control to Liverpool's midfield and converted his penalty in the shootout.
Owen Beck - N/A
It was a case of too little, too late for Beck.