Andoni Iraola had full confidence in Joe Gomez when he stepped up to take a penalty for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea, which was decided by a shootout
Joe Gomez scored for Liverpool from the penalty spot
Joe Gomez scored for Liverpool from the penalty spot(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola was delighted with his side's Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea at Anfield, with Joe Gomez scoring in the shootout and Wesley Fofana missing the decisive spot kick.
The Reds had fallen behind through a Morgan Rogers penalty before Cody Gakpo leveled. In a match filled with penalties, Iraola's men eventually progressed when Fofana skied his effort. "It has been a very competitive game," Iraola told ITV Sport at the final whistle.
"It is a great experience. Other players have played a good competitive game, and I think to be in this knockout competition, it gives you experience. They played really well. Let's see who we play in the next one."
It has since been confirmed that Liverpool will take on Iraola's old side Bournemouth next. That clash will be at home, meaning less distance to travel, but that was the tie that Iraola wanted to avoid.
On Gomez scoring, he added: "He was also very confident! I knew he would score this."
The center-back is yet to score in a game for Liverpool despite being the Reds' longest-serving player. He dispatched his effort from 12 yards with ease, however, to the delight of The Kop and his teammates.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola picked up an important win on Wednesday
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola picked up an important win on Wednesday(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson both returned to Liverpool in this game, with neither getting the ending that they wanted after a clash that was limited in quality.
"Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition," Alonso told Sky Sports. "It was really close from both sides. Penalties mean it is open to anything.
"They have performed at a good enough level to compete at Anfield. We conceded the penalty and it was even. The game was really close for both sides.
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"It has been a solid performance from Mike [Penders]. We didn't concede many chances, but he was quite stable and solid with his performances. That was really important in the first half for us.
"This is football. It is part of our job. We were showing a good level and this is what it takes to come to these stadiums. The Premier League is the main focus.
"We don't have much time to recover because the game is Saturday, early kick-off, so we need to change the mindset quite quickly."
Liverpool.com says: Gomez was a solid performer for the Reds at the back, and he took his penalty well. Progressing might eventually feel important as it keeps the positive feeling going under Iraola, now with six wins on the bounce.