Liverpool advanced to the Carabao Cup last eight after a tense 1‑1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield was decided by a 6‑5 penalty shoot‑out. The match, played on 27 October 2026, saw both teams exchange goals early in the first half, with Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo converting from the spot within three minutes of each other. The score remained level at full time, leading to a shoot‑out that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The penalty sequence was dramatic. Chelsea’s debutant Emmanuel Emegha had his attempt saved by Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas, while Valentina Barco’s effort hit the post. Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch was denied by Mike Penders, and a later miss from Wesley Fofana, who had earlier been involved in a handball that earned Liverpool a spot‑kick, sealed the Reds’ victory. Fofana’s miss came after a controversial handball that had been awarded to Liverpool, and his subsequent attempt was blocked by the crowd‑filled Kop. The shoot‑out finished 6‑5 in Liverpool’s favour, giving them a place in the quarter‑finals against Bournemouth.
The win marks Liverpool’s fifth consecutive victory across all competitions, a run that has boosted confidence after a shaky start to the season. Manager Andoni Iraola praised the performance of the young players he fielded, noting that they had shown a high level of play and deserved their starts. He also highlighted the importance of the home win, saying it was a “proper cup game” and that the team had performed well against a strong Chelsea side.
Chelsea, on the other hand, suffered their second straight defeat after a Premier League loss to Tottenham. The Blues also lost defender Maxence Lacroix to a hamstring injury in the first half, and midfielder Jordan Henderson expressed disappointment with the result. Head coach Xabi Alonso described the match as “intense and really close,” acknowledging the difficulty of the shoot‑out but emphasizing that the team had competed at a solid level.
Liverpool will face Bournemouth in the quarter‑finals on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at Anfield. The draw, which also includes matches such as Fleetwood vs Everton/Newcastle and Manchester City vs Bradford, will be announced in the week beginning 14 December. With the win, Liverpool have secured a spot in the next round, while Chelsea will regroup as they focus on their Premier League campaign.