Carabao Cup winning Liverpool trio make BBC pundit’s team of the week including “unflappable” keeper

BBC pundit Garth Crooks has named three of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup winning players in his Team of the Week column.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker has chosen Caoimhin Kelleher, Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz for their performances in the 0-0 draw with Chelsea at Wembley which Jurgen Klopp’s side won after a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The trio are joined by three players each from Spurs who beat Leeds Units 4-0, and Newcastle United, who were 2-0 winners at Brentford.

Making up his best XI of the week are one player each from Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Here is what the 63-year old said about each of his choices from the Reds and why he selected them:

Caoimhin Kelleher

The Irish stopper made some crucial saves during the final and scored the winning penalty in the dramatic 11-10 shoot-out victory.

Crooks said: “Whenever I’ve seen Caoimhin Kelleher play in goal for Liverpool he looks totally unflappable.

“He goes about his job as if saving goals is the least important thing on his mind and yet I can’t ever remember seeing the Republic of Ireland international let Liverpool down.

“A goalkeeper taking the final penalty in a shootout and burying it so comprehensively in the back of the net must have scared the living daylights out of Kepa Arrizabalaga because he missed his.”

Virgil van Dijk

The Dutch centre-back put in an imperious performance at the back to keep a clean sheet through the 120 minutes of action at Wembley.

Crooks said: “Mr Dependable was everywhere in the EFL Cup final against Chelsea.

“He had to be as this was a proper game of football played by grown-ups.”

Luis Diaz

The January signing caught the eye up-front with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane and has lifted his first silverware with the Anfield club in what was only his sixth appearance.

Crooks said: “From the moment I clapped eyes on this player in a Liverpool shirt I thought they’ve only gone and done it again - they’ve bought another red arrow.

“A player who is quick, a team player, can score goals and fit in with the current regime and, if need be take over from the outgoing ones.

“The Colombia international looked fabulous against Chelsea.”

Who else made Garth Crooks’ Team of the Week?

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur were the two other sides to have three players chosen by the BBC pundit while Aston Villa and Manchester City stars took the other two spots.

Liverpool were represented with Kelleher in goals and van Dijk in the back four while Diaz joined the attacking three.

The three man midfield was the only are of the park where the Reds had no representation in this week’s selection of stars.

Making up the Team of the Week from the BBC pundit were: Matty Cash (Aston Villa), Fabian Schar (Newcastle United), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Joelinton (Newcastle United),Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur) Joe Willock (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Phil Foden (Manchester City).