Forget Kelleher: Liverpool engine with 103 touches was Klopp’s real hero in Cup final

After a dramatic final against Chelsea, Liverpool won the Carabao Cup on Sunday evening on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes and an 11-10 shootout in favour of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The title is the Reds’ ninth League Cup, the most amount of times any side has won the competition and Klopp’s first domestic cup success in England.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher scored last for Liverpool in the shootout as substitute Chelsea stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga missed the decisive spot-kick after an impressive performance from the 23-year-old backup ‘keeper.

Although the Irishman will receive plenty of plaudits for the decisive shootout moment, the entire Reds side was excellent, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold particularly impressive.

According to SofaScore, the Englishman was Liverpool’s joint-best player alongside the goalkeeper, with both players being rated 8.5/10.

Alexander-Arnold played the entire 120 minutes as well as scoring in the penalty shootout, keeping a clean sheet whilst making four clearances, three interceptions and two tackles.

Moreover, the 23-year-old won 60% of his duels and was also impressive going forward too, producing six key passes and two big chances alongside maintaining a 67% passing accuracy during the 120 minutes.

Impressively, the right-back was an engine at the back, making 103 touches throughout the showpiece fixture at Wembley.

Yet again, the Englishman has impressed for his club this campaign, adding to an already impressive trophy cabinet that includes a Premier League, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

The final was Alexander-Arnold’s 31st appearance of the season, who has recorded 16 assists this campaign, an average of one every 1.94 matches and has certainly put last term’s below-par performances behind him.

Will Liverpool win another trophy this season?

In 45 appearances, the right-back made nine assists as the Reds finished third in the Premier League in what was a mixed campaign for the Englishman.

England manager Gareth Southgate had snubbed the 23-year-old initially before reinstating him in the provisional squad for the European Championships after improved performances, only to suffer an injury.

With the World Cup at the end of the year, cementing himself as an England regular will certainly be on Alexander-Arnold’s mind, with the national team blessed with options at full-back. Performances such as Sundays at club level will certainly boost his claim.

In terms of Liverpool, there is still a genuine possibility of the Merseyside outfit winning the quadruple with success in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup still a possibility.

That will now be the focus for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who will rely on more standout performances from the English right-back if they are to enjoy more success this campaign.

Meanwhile, this Liverpool star has seen his value soar…