ReactionCaoimhin Kelleher: We're bitterly disappointed - it's tough to take
Caoimhin Kelleher acknowledged Liverpool were very much second-best to Newcastle United in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
The Reds suffered a 2-1 defeat at Wembley after goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak either side of half-time.
Federico Chiesa came off the bench to reduce the deficit for Arne Slot's side in second-half stoppage time, but they were unable to net again and take the showpiece to extra-time.
Kelleher told Liverpoolfc.com post-match: "It's very disappointing. It's a tough one to take for all the lads.
"To be fair to Newcastle, I thought they deserved it, so fair play to them. We're bitterly disappointed.
"It's tough to take, obviously. I think we know ourselves we could perform better than that, which is probably that bit extra hard to take.
"To be fair to the lads, they gave everything, ran as hard as we could, but we just came up a bit short."
Chiesa gave Liverpool late hope when he scored with 94 minutes on the clock, converting well from Harvey Elliott's through ball.
However, Newcastle held on to their advantage to secure a first major domestic honour in 70 years.
"We'll believe right until the very end and it was a good goal to get us back into it and then anything can happen. But unfortunately we couldn't get a second," Kelleher continued.
"To be fair to them, they closed out the game well. It's obviously difficult when the ball is in the corner to take it out and then create a chance from there. To be fair to them, they closed it out well."
Club football now pauses as a host of Reds head off for fixtures with their national teams.
Slot's men return to action on Wednesday April 2 when they meet Everton at Anfield to continue their pursuit of the Premier League title.
Kelleher finished: "It's been a tough week for us but maybe the internationals come at a good time for us now to get away and just clear our heads and come back refreshed and ready to go in two weeks.
"Big things to play for when we get back, so we'll be ready to go."
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