Liverpool 3-3 Leicester (5-4 pens): 5 talking points as Diogo Jota caps EFL Cup comeback

Caoimhin Kelleher saved twice in a penalty shootout victory as Liverpool produced a trademark comeback to see off Leicester City.

The Reds were down at the break, but produced a late, late shown to make the last four of the Carabao Cup, with Diogo Jota scoring the winning penalty.

Wins for visiting teams on Merseyside have been something of a rarity in recent times but the Foxes found themselves 2-0 up within 15 minutes.

Vardy grabbed them both in front of the Kop before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pulled one back for the hosts as they threatened a comeback.

Jurgen Klopp rang the changes, with youngster Billy Koumetio among those to be given a run out, but he could only watch on as James Maddison's thunderous effort made it 3-1 at half-time.

Liverpool huffed and puffed in the second-half, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall seeing his effort well saved by Kelleher.

The hosts bought on Diogo Jota and Naby Keita as they sought to level the game and the Portuguese star cue the deficit.

Takumi Minamino then notched the equaliser after 93 minutes to take us to penalties where

The Japanese star missed a penalty that could've taken the hosts through, but Kelleher saved from Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand to allow Jota his moment of glory.

Here are five talking points from Anfield.

1 An inevitability

There's something about Liverpool chasing down a lead in front of Anfield under the lights.

Whether it is Barcelona in 2019 or Leicester City in 2021, the air of inevitability appears the same.

The Reds have themselves a mountain to climb a half-time, needing two goals to force the game beyond 90 minutes.

True to form though, they dominated the second 45 minutes with the Anfield crowd continuing to provide a tune that roared their team on.

A much-changed side without many of the club's big hitters still fed off the atmosphere and Jota's strike meant they had real hope.

And then, right on cue, with stoppage time winding down, Minamino finished past Kasper Schmeichel to take us to penalties, where the Reds completed the job.

2 The value of Jota

Surely no one knew he'd be this good when the Reds signed him last summer?

The Portuguese star was had a rest and left on the bench, but was called upon by Klopp at half-time with his team in need.

Jota's impact was immediate as the hosts dominated the second period.

Roberto Firmino started the evening, but the improvement once his teammate emerged was notable and he grabbed his side's second which pulled them back into the contest.

If the Brazilian was attempting to make in roads in his battle for the No 9 spot, Jota certainly reminded him that, on current form, he is the man.

The Portugal star then further endeared himself to the Anfield crowd when he scored the winning penalty.

3 Rotation a must

We all know that Klopp and December fixture schedules don't mix well.

On Wednesday morning his skipper Jordan Henderson was bemoaning the fact that no one takes player welfare seriously.

Liverpool, who were involved in a high-octane clash with Tottenham at the weekend, are having to gear up for several key clashes as they play nine times in the month of December.

As a result, only Henderson retained his place from Sunday's game.

One of Klopp's strengths during his tenure has been the ability to name a settled XI, with many of his players playing the majority of games.

But in order to call upon them for crunch clashes games like this often have to see major changes made which, whilst it has its risks, is necessary when the Premier League and the Champions League are among your ambitions.

4 Vardy at the double

He absolutely loves scoring against the big teams and the poacher was at it once again at Anfield.

The former non-league sensation, like a fine wine, continues to get better with age.

Despite his appetite for goals his brace on Merseyside was the first time he'd score more than once on the road since scoring a treble away at Manchester City last term.

Vardy's second goal especially was so typical of the No 9, converting from just six yards.

Only the post denied him a first-half hat-trick.

5 A second-half pattern

The first goal in any game is key and whilst they say a two-goal lead is a precarious one, it is certainly one that suited Leicester.

In the second-half especially the Reds had to come out, roared on by the Anfield crowd.

They needed to play on the front foot, but that is far easier said than done against a Foxes team possessing Vardy and happy to play on the counter.

And so that was very much the pattern of the second 45. A Liverpool side needing to push against a Leicester team more than happy to bide their time.

The Reds also had anything but a first choice backline, which meant they didn't have the defensive assurance they would do if a Virgil van Dijk was marshalling the back four.

It meant the game remained on a knife edge as Liverpool looked to push, but without the Foxes scoring a fourth that would've taken it beyond them.

Jota's goal set-up a grandstand finish and Minamino, true to the Anfield script, scored in stoppage time.

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