Liverpool advances past Chelsea 6-5 in League Cup shootout

Liverpool moved into the League Cup quarterfinals after a penalty shootout against Chelsea on Wednesday at Anfield.

The match ended 1-1 after normal time. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead from the spot in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo. Three minutes later, Cody Gakpo converted a penalty of his own following a handball by Wesley Fofana. The second half produced no further goals.

The shootout went 6-5 to Liverpool. Valentin Barco hit the post for Chelsea. Kostas Tsimikas then shot over the bar with a chance to win it for Liverpool. Mike Penders saved Gravenberch's attempt, and Giorgi Mamardashvili stopped Emmanuel Emegha's kick. Joe Gomez scored for Liverpool before Fofana's effort went into the Kop.

The result gives Andoni Iraola his third home win in a row as Liverpool manager. Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot each reached the League Cup final during their first seasons at the club, and Iraola's side has now matched that run to the quarterfinals. Liverpool has won the competition 10 times.

"We are really happy. Three wins at home in a row is very important. We were struggling at home in the league but now we go against Arsenal on Sunday," Iraola said. In the quarterfinals, Liverpool faces Bournemouth, the club Iraola previously managed.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has now lost on all three of his visits to Anfield as a manager, with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and Real Madrid in 2025. "Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition," Alonso said. "The Premier League is the main focus." Alonso made four changes to the Chelsea lineup that lost 2-0 to Tottenham on Saturday. Iraola made seven changes from the side that beat Brighton 2-0 on Sunday.