Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties to reach the quarter finals. The dramatic win also spoiled Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson’s returns to Anfield.
The match finished 1 -1 after Morgan Rogers scored from the spot for Chelsea and Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool. The Reds then won the shootout to set up a quarter final tie at Anfield against Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola’s former club.
Fofana Miss Sends Liverpool Through
The penalty shootout swung both ways before Liverpool sealed victory. Valentin Barco hit the woodwork for Chelsea, while Kostas Tsimikas blazed over for the hosts. Former Liverpool captain Henderson then scored for the visitors.
Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders saved Ryan Gravenberch’s effort, giving his side hope. However, Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili denied Emmanuel Emegha. Joe Gomez then scored for the Reds before French defender Wesley Fofana sent his penalty high over the bar.
The result marked Liverpool’s fifth consecutive penalty shootout win against Chelsea. It also ended the Blues’ hopes of reaching the quarter finals in a competition they have won five times, while Liverpool have lifted the trophy a record 10 times.
Both managers made several changes after their teams Premier League matches at the weekend. Iraola made seven changes from Liverpool’s win over Brighton.
Alonso made four changes for Chelsea. The former Liverpool midfielder won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005. Henderson started against his old club, while Chelsea missed the suspended Cole Palmer and injured Joao Pedro.
Neither goalkeeper faced a save in the opening stages. However, the game came alive in the 40th minute when Gravenberch brought down Moises Caicedo in the penalty area. Referee Darren England pointed to the spot.
Henderson picked up the ball amid loud boos from the home crowd but handed penalty duties to Rogers. The forward sent Mamardashvili the wrong way to put Chelsea ahead.
Liverpool responded just three minutes later. Fofana handled the ball inside the box, giving the hosts a penalty of their own. Gakpo stepped up and sent Penders the wrong way to score his 11th goal in the competition.
Chelsea suffered another setback before half time when centre back Maxence Lacroix picked up an injury. Alonso replaced him with Levi Colwill.
Just before the hour mark, Iraola made two changes. He brought on Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola for Lewis Koumas and James McConnell, who had both received first half bookings.
Liverpool increased the pressure as the second half progressed, but Chelsea remained dangerous on the counter attack. Neither side could find a winner, so the tie went straight to penalties without extra time.
Penders kept Chelsea in the contest with two fine saves to deny Ronald Araujo and Barcola. At the other end, Marco Palestra forced Mamardashvili into an excellent stop.
Alonso did not bring on Estevao to try to change the game. Instead, the match came down to the shootout, where Fofana’s missed penalty proved decisive and sent Liverpool into the last eight.
