Liverpool eventually see off Chelsea on penalties to reach quarters

The Reds overcame the Blues 6-5 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in normal time, where both sides also netted from the spot.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola (left) hugs goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili after the penalty shoot out win. Pic: Peter Byrne/Press Association.

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 (Liverpool win 6-5 on penalties)

Xabi Alonso’s name is indelibly etched into the history books of his former club Liverpool, having made over 200 appearances for them across five trophy-laden seasons before reluctantly departing, just over a decade-and-a-half ago, to join the Galacticos of Real Madrid.

But his return to Anfield ended in disappointment as his Chelsea team exited the Carabao Cup on penalties following a match which showcased both the strengths and the flaws of the two teams involved.

The round’s most fascinating tie on paper, because of the pedigree and back stories of those involved, was threatening to prove something of a damp squib until two moments of madness just before the interval sparked it into life. Struggling to find their rhythm, despite some flashes of promise, Chelsea gratefully seized the lifeline Ryan Gravenberch handed them when his ill-judged challenge on Moises Caicedo gifted Morgan Rogers a penalty.

With that one clinically dispatched, another one quickly followed after Wesley Fofana’s decision to use his fist to make a clearance from a corner. Cody Gakpo levelled and the game the neutrals had been hoping for finally broke out.

There was chaos, miscalculations and openings aplenty. But no more breakthroughs.

The shoot-out, after the scoreline remained deadlocked at full-time, was equally dramatic with Wesley Fofana sending the decisive spot kick over following earlier misses for Valentin Barco, Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and debutant Emmanuel Emegha.

Iraola, whose reign has begun to spark into life following a subdued beginning, used his programme notes to promise Alonso a warm welcome ahead of his latest return to Merseyside, having twice managed against them since carving a career on the touchline. His fellow Basque’s friendliness, however, only extended so far.

The same could be said for a section of the home supporters who booed every single touch Jordan Henderson made. Despite making nearly 500 outings for the hosts, and lifting this trophy twice in a red jersey, his decision to move to Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2023 has been neither forgotten nor forgiven, Both Iraola and Alonso had said all the right things ahead of kick-off, stressing their commitment towards regaining a trophy their clubs have won 10 and five times respectively. But when the starting elevens were unveiled, the selections betrayed the growing confidence Iraola has in what is still an embryonic project and, having suffered the indignity of losing to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, Alonso’s desire to subdue some of the criticism which has come Chelsea’s way following an indifferent run of form and that painful derby defeat.

Making seven changes, Liverpool’s accent was unashamedly on youth with Lewis Koumas and James McConnell, a one-time Ajax loanee, selected ahead of the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola who all featured on a loaded bench.

Chelsea’s picks, meanwhile, had a much more familiar feel with Alonso making only four changes compared to Liverpool’s seven. Despite the absence of Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer through injury and suspension, however, there was still no place in their line-up for the talented Estevao.

Nevertheless, Liverpool were more cohesive during the early exchanges, looking to harass a Chelsea rearguard which has looked extremely porous throughout much of the campaign so far. It was that vulnerability which persuaded Kostas Tsimikas to plant a free-kick straight on Mike Penders after a foul by Pedro Neto. Soon after, only Rogers’ awareness allowed him to deny Gakpo a clear run towards the Belgian, whose own goal had laid the foundation for the loss to Roberto de Zerbi’s men.

Negotiating safe passage through that tricky spell appeared to infuse Chelsea with confidence. As their passing became more precise, Josh Acheampong began to launch a series of forays forward down the flank while Danny Welbeck, tasked with deputising for Pedro, was nearly able to roll his marker after collecting a low drive into the box.

Virgil van Dijk also frustrated Chelsea’s veteran marksman with an excellent interception while Ronald Araujo survived a strong appeal from both Rogers and, on the touchline, Alonso after bundling over the England forward in the box. At the other end of the pitch, only moments earlier, Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha had brought the crowd to its feet with one of his trademark mazy runs before running out of space.

That was nearly the story of the first-half, until its dramatic ending. Rogers fired Chelsea ahead from the spot in the 40th minute after Moises Caicedo, collecting a pass from Malo Gusto, was clumsily bundled over by Ryan Gravenberch. Only three minutes later, though, Liverpool drew level in the same fashion - Gakpo beating Penders from 12 yards out following Wesley Fofana’s needless handball during an aerial battle with van Dijk as they contested a corner.

Penders denied Araujo with a fine reaction save before thwarting Bradley Barcola, who had just been introduced. Rogers saw an effort deflected behind as the action became stretched.

Another substitute, Marco Palestra, was denied by a good block at the other end of the pitch as Chelsea began to take control.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): G Mamardashvili 6; J Gomez 6, V van Dijk 7 (J Jacquet 72, 6), R Araujo 6, K Tsimikas 7; R Gravenberch 6, T Nyoni 6 (A Mac Allister 82) ; R Ngumoha 7 (A Isak 82), J McConnell 5 (F Wirtz 59, 6), C Gakpo 7; L Koumas 6 (B Barcola 59, 7).

Chelsea (4-3-3): M Penders 6; M Gusto 6 (M Palestra 69, 6), W Fofana 6, M Lacroix 6 (L Colwill 45, 6), J Acheampong 7; J Henderson 7, M Caicedo 6 (V Barco 69, 6), R Lavia 7; P Neto 6, D Welbeck 6 (E Emegha 69, 6), M Rogers 7.

Referee: D England.