Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup by winning a tense penalty shoot-out at Anfield, where Joe Gomez scored the winning spot-kick and Wesley Fofana sent his attempt over the bar. The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, as neither team could find a winner in normal play.
The outcome gave Liverpool another shoot-out victory in this competition and handed Xabi Alonso his third loss as a manager at Anfield. Even though Chelsea made fewer changes to their starting eleven, they failed to make their selection advantage count, and the tie was ultimately settled by penalty-taking composure.
Liverpool vs Chelsea penalty shoot-out decides the tie
Liverpool won the shoot-out 6-5 after Kostas Tsimikas missed the chance to seal victory with the hosts’ fifth penalty. Valentin Barco had already hit the post for Chelsea, and Giorgi Mamardashvili denied Emmanuel Emegha to put Liverpool in a commanding position.
But Tsimikas sent his penalty over the crossbar and into the Kop, keeping the contest alive. Gomez then converted the decisive kick, and Fofana blasted his effort high and wide to end Chelsea’s hopes.
Multiple Liverpool players kept their composure from 12 yards, including Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Bradley Barcola, and Gomez. Chelsea also scored through Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers, Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson, and Levi Colwill, but Fofana’s miss proved decisive.
The result brought back memories of Liverpool’s famous 11-10 win over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley four years ago. While this shoot-out did not match that match for drama, the celebrations at Anfield showed how much another narrow win over the same opponent meant.
Penalties shape a scrappy first half at Anfield
The game lacked attacking quality for long stretches, and two avoidable penalties produced the only goals in a four-minute spell late in the first half. Ryan Gravenberch brought down Moises Caicedo with a lunging challenge from behind, even though the Chelsea midfielder was moving away from goal and the tackle had little chance of winning the ball.
Rogers converted the penalty, sending Mamardashvili the wrong way. The England international was otherwise quiet, though he was far from the only player who struggled to make an impact.
Liverpool responded almost instantly. After Trey Nyoni’s volley deflected behind for a corner, Fofana raised his arm during the resulting scramble, and Gakpo equalised from the penalty spot.
The lack of rhythm was perhaps understandable given the season’s demands. Liverpool had Arsenal visiting Anfield at the weekend, while Chelsea was preparing to host Manchester United, and neither side seemed eager to expend too much energy on the cup tie.
Rio Ngumoha and Chelsea’s missed opportunities
Teenager Rio Ngumoha was one of the match’s more entertaining elements, repeatedly driving forward against the club he left two years earlier in acrimonious circumstances. His direct running caused problems in both halves, and Josh Acheampong was not booked for a foul on him until the 50th minute.
Gravenberch’s challenge on Caicedo raised the temperature, while former Liverpool captain Henderson received a hostile reception from the home fans all evening. After picking up the ball amid the boos, he eventually handed it to Rogers, who put Chelsea ahead.
Chelsea had a chance to extend their lead early in the second half when Rogers was sent through on goal. The forward seemed unsure whether to shoot or pass, and his poor touch allowed Mamardashvili to gather the ball.
Liverpool also created chances after the break. Ronald Araujo saw his powerful header pushed away by Mike Penders, who later made another save to turn Barcola’s low effort around the post.
Liverpool’s substitutes fail to settle the Carabao Cup tie
Liverpool made seven changes to their starting lineup, leaving players such as Isak, Barcola, Wirtz, and Mac Allister out initially. Chelsea made only four alterations, giving the impression that the visitors had a stronger starting team against a Liverpool side with considerable options on the bench.
Wirtz and Barcola came on just before the hour mark, with Barcola adding some attacking threat. However, Liverpool did not get the decisive lift they needed, even after Mac Allister and Isak were introduced for the final 10 minutes.
The changes ultimately made little difference as the match drifted towards a penalty shoot-out. Neither side managed to produce a winning goal, leaving Liverpool to rely on their penalty takers rather than their attacking depth.
In the end, Gomez delivered the moment that mattered most. Fofana’s miss ensured Liverpool progressed after a frustrating evening of football, while Alonso was left to reflect on another defeat at a ground where the hosts once again prevailed in a cup shoot-out.