Deciding a match via penalty shootout can feel like a cruel way to lose if that’s the side you end up on. Win the spot kick lottery, though, and it can be invigorating. Like winning a match deep into stoppage time via wonder-strike invigorating.
It was no surprise, then, that Liverpool were celebrating Wednesday’s shootout win over Chelsea like it was something a little bit more than a Round of 16 League Cup tie.
“The boys were buzzing,” young winger Rio Ngumoha said after Joe Gomez converted his kick to give the Reds their 6-5 shootout win that decided a 1-1 match. “But I think it was a good game, we played well, we dug deep—it was a great result.
“We’re just happy to get through to the quarter-finals. We go into every game knowing we can put on a show for the fans but also come home with three points. I think there’s no better feeling than winning games and wins upon wins upon wins.”
Their next chance at a win in the League Cup will have to wait until December when they welcome Bournemouth to Anfield, with the date and kickoff not yet confirmed but likely to be on Wednesday the 16th due to both clubs’ European commitments.
Before then, there will be plenty of opportunities for piling wins upon wins if this Liverpool side can continue to play to their full potential—though it won’t be easy with Arsenal up next at Anfield on Sunday.
“Now the focus is the big game on Sunday against Arsenal,” the rising star 18-year-old added of the challenge and opportunity to come. “Confidence is high but we can’t get complacent. We showed the boss why he puts the faith in us and played a good game.”
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