League Cup: Klopp hails semi-final heroes Allen, Mignolet

Liverpool manager delighted after Reds defeat Stoke on penalties to reach final

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was pleased with his side’s performance and praised midfielder Joe Allen and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet after the former slotted the decisive penalty, while the latter saved two to book a place in the final of the League Cup, set to be played on February 28 at Wembley.

Liverpool hosted Stoke City in the second leg of the semi-final with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy Jordan Ibe’s goal in the first leg, but were required to contest a penalty-shootout after Marko Arnautovic had given his side a win at Anfield with a goal just before half-time.

Mignolet proved the shootout hero as he saved twice in the shootout, including a brilliant stop to deny Marc Muniesa in sudden death, which allowed Allen to stroke home the decisive spot kick and Klopp, who admitted he did not see the shootout, praised his goalkeeper.



“I did not see one shot to be honest — I was behind the wall of my players,” said Klopp in his post-match interview, according to ESPNFC. “I’ll watch it at home — he saved two? Yeah, I heard about it. Of course, he did well.”

As for Allen, Klopp hailed his character after revealing that the Welshman made the decision to take the crucial kick himself and then comfortably slotted in the top right corner to send the Anfield crowd into delirium.

“We only decided the first five [penalty kicks],” said Klopp. “He’s a really good boy, good lad. Not the easiest of situations sometimes for players if you’re in a good shape but you don’t play from the beginning. He’s a good character and he did well. He decided the game for us.”



For Stoke manager Mark Hughes, there was little consolation to be had other than his side’s positive performance.

“I thought we merited a win,” said Hughes, whose side managed to win at Anfield for the first time since 1959. “We got a win on paper — goodness knows how long it’s been since we won here — but the objective was to get to a Wembley final which we didn’t.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2016.

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