Liverpool 3-3 Leicester (5-4 pens): player ratings, heroes & villains as Reds move into Carabao Cup semis

Liverpool advanced into the Carabao Cup semi-finals after defeating Leicester City on penalties following a 3-3 draw at Anfield.

It was a highly-entertaining affair, with drama throughout, as the Reds came from behind to reach the last four.

The first half was frenetic, with four goals being scored.

Leicester took the lead in the ninth minute when Jamie Vardy fired home with a low shot.

The striker then notched his second only four minutes later. He tucked home from close range after being teed-up by Patson Daka.

Liverpool did fire back in the 19th minute through a powerful drive from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the edge of the box.

However, the Foxes restored their advantage on 33 minutes when James Maddison’s crashing half-volley beat home keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

A triple substitution at half-time from Jurgen Klopp ensured Liverpool rallied in the second half.

Diogo Jota was one of those introduced at the break and he crashed an effort home in the 67th minute.

And as the home side looked to be heading out of the competition, a 95th-minute Takumi Minamino strike took the game to penalties and sent Anfield into raptures.

In a pulsating shootout, Caoimhin Kelleher made two saves from Luke Thomas and Ryan Bertrand, with Diogo Jota slotting home the decisive spot-kick to set-up a semi-final clash with Arsenal.

The heroes

- Diogo Jota: an energetic performance off the bench gave Liverpool the fillip they badly needed. Jota took his goal superbly after starting the move for the Reds and went close to notching an equaliser with an instinctive header. The Portuguese then underlined how his importance and influence at Anfield continues to rise by slotting home the winning penalty. Man of the match.

- Caoimhin Kelleher: the Irishman might have been disappointed by two goals he conceded conceded. For Vardy’s first, Kelleher got his hand to the shot but failed to keep it out. And as sweetly as Maddison struck his effort, it was in the centre of the goal and Kelleher could perhaps have done better. But Kelleher atoned for those errors by making a crucial saves from Thomas and Bertrand in what’ll be a night to remember for him.

- Jamie Vardy: Turning 35 next month, Vardy’s not lost any of his predatory instincts or his zealous attitude when leading the line. Took his goals brilliantly and will be disappointed he’s not taking the match ball home.

The villains

- Joe Gomez: the Liverpool centre-back has struggled for regular action this season and failed to take his chance. He was part of a sloppy defensive performance in the first half and failed to organise the back line as the senior player. A heavy touch from Gomez gifted Vardy a chance for a hat-trick but he struck the post and spared the England international’s blushes.

Billy Koumetio: the Reds youngster was given a baptism of fire on his full debut. He was run ragged by Vardy and Patson Daka and really struggled to keep track of either. Perhaps a tad harsh on the 19-year-old but he’ll need to improve significantly if he has hopes of becoming a regular in the future.

-Ryan Bertrand: the Leicester left-back saw his meek effort stopped in sudden death, which gave Jota the opportunity to put Liverpool into the semis.

Player ratings

Liverpool: Kelleher 7, Bradley 5 (Jota 46; 8), Koumetio 4 (Konate 46; 7), Gomez 4, Tsimikas 7 (Beck 80), Morton 5 (Milner 46; 7), Henderson 6 (Keita 59; 7), Oxlade-Chamberlain 7, Williams 6, Minamino 7, Firmino 7.

Leicester: Schmeichel 6, Pereira 6 (Albrighton 42; 6), Ndidi 6, Soyuncu 7 (Vestegaard 60; 6), Thomas 6, Tielemans 6, Soumare 6, Dewsbury-Hall 6 (Bertrand 60; 6), Maddison 7, Daka 7 (Iheanacho 56; 6), Vardy 8.

What’s Liverpool’s next fixture

The Reds are back in action on Boxing Day when they welcome Leeds United to Anfield (12.30).