Liverpool secured a place in the Carabao Cup quarter‑finals after a tense 0‑0 draw with Chelsea that was decided by a penalty shoot‑out at Anfield. The visitors prevailed 4‑2 on penalties, extending a long streak of defeats for Chelsea in shoot‑outs against Liverpool – a record that now stands at five losses, including the 2007 Champions League semi‑final, the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final and the 2022 FA and League Cup finals.
The match itself was a tightly contested affair with neither side able to break the deadlock in 90 minutes. Liverpool’s attack was led by Cody Gakpo, who had already scored twice in normal time, while the home side’s defense remained resolute. Chelsea’s attempts to force a goal were largely thwarted by Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who made a crucial stop when Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty attempt was saved. The shoot‑out saw several Chelsea players miss: Fofana, Tsimikas, Gravenberch and Barco all failed to convert, while Morgan Rogers and Gakpo were the only ones to score for the visitors.
The game was marked by a number of tactical adjustments from both managers. Xabi Alonso, who had returned to Anfield with former Liverpool players Jordan Henderson and himself, opted for a lineup that relied heavily on experience. He left out Estêvão, a young talent who did not fit his game plan, and instead fielded veterans such as Danny Welbeck and Henderson in a more creative role. Liverpool’s coach, Andoni Iraola, made seven changes from his previous match against Brighton, bringing in Lewis Koumas to start on the right flank and deploying Gakpo in the attacking line. The absence of João Pedro due to injury and Cole Palmer’s suspension also influenced the squad selection.
The penalty shoot‑out was swift, with the first two kicks taken within four minutes. Chelsea’s first spot‑kick was missed by Gravenberch after a clever pass from Malo Gusto, and the second was saved by Mamardashvili. Liverpool’s first penalty was taken by Gakpo, who curled the ball past Chelsea’s keeper. The shoot‑out continued with a mix of successful and missed attempts until Liverpool secured the win with a 4‑2 advantage.
Despite the victory, the match highlighted the ongoing struggles of Chelsea in high‑pressure moments. The club’s recent history of penalty failures against Liverpool has become a notable pattern, and the loss will add to the pressure on the club’s management as they prepare for the next round of the Carabao Cup. Liverpool, meanwhile, will look to carry the momentum from this win into their upcoming fixtures, while Chelsea will need to address the issues that led to their repeated shoot‑out defeats.