Reaction'I'm over the moon' – Vitezslav Jaros talks through first Liverpool start

Having debuted as a substitute in the win at Crystal Palace earlier this month, goalkeeper Jaros was named in Arne Slot’s XI at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round.

And the Czech rewarded his head coach’s faith with big contributions as the Reds set up a quarter-final date with Southampton by beating the Seagulls 3-2.

A one-on-one stop to thwart Tariq Lamptey during a goalless first half was followed by several more saves after the interval – the standout being a crucial diving touch onto the post from Simon Adingra’s header.

“Delighted,” Jaros told Liverpoolfc.com post-match at Amex Stadium.

“I’m really happy that I could help the team like this in a tough game against Brighton away. I’m over the moon with my performance and the team performance.

“[A first save in the game] calms you down, whatever it is, whether it’s a catch or a save you can get early on to calm you down and settle you in. That helps a lot.

“I didn’t really know too much about [the Adingra header], I was just getting across then the header went back across the goal and I just stuck my hand out to get something on it – and it went wide luckily.”

Two sumptuously taken finishes from Cody Gakpo had put Liverpool in strong control of the encounter by the 63-minute mark on the south coast.

• Read our match report from Amex Stadium here

Adingra later netted a rebound but Luis Diaz soon restored a two-goal cushion, only for the Seagulls to respond again through Lamptey’s deflected hit in the 90th minute.

The visitors saw it out, though, to ensure their defence of the trophy continues.

“I think the boys dug in, you could see the last five to 10 minutes we were under the cosh a little bit and Brighton brought some players on who caused us trouble,” reflected Jaros.

“But we managed to handle it and get through into the hat for the next round.”

Many of the squad know exactly how it feels to lift the Carabao Cup having been part of the victory at Wembley over Chelsea in last season’s final.

There is a strong desire throughout the group to experience that kind of success again, explained Jaros.

“It’s massive because the boys won it last season,” he said of the competition. “Everyone wants to carry on and defend the trophy and go to Wembley again.”