Liverpool made it five straight penalty-shootout wins against Chelsea as they edged the Blues 6-5 at Anfield to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with both goals coming from the spot just three minutes apart in a frantic end to the first half.
For Liverpool supporters, this was a night to breathe a sigh of relief rather than celebrate a comfortable victory. The sides could not be separated in normal time, but the Reds found a way through when it mattered.
Andoni Iraola made seven changes from Liverpool’s weekend win over Brighton, giving the cup side another opportunity to impress. Chelsea’s starting line-up included former Reds captain Jordan Henderson, whose return to Anfield brought a mixed reception adding another layer to an already charged fixture.
Gakpo answers Chelsea’s opener
Chelsea struck first in the 40th minute, with Morgan Rogers converting a penalty after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moisés Caicedo. It left Liverpool facing the prospect of going into the break behind.
That lead lasted just three minutes. Wesley Fofana handled a Kostas Tsimikas corner, giving Cody Gakpo the chance to respond from the spot. He took it, bringing the Reds level and changing the mood before half-time.
There were chances for both sides after the interval, but no winning goal. Liverpool could not finish the job in normal time, and Chelsea could not find a way through either. At 1-1, it came down to penalties.
Mamardashvili and Gomez play their part
The shootout brought another swing of nerves, with both teams having chances to put themselves in control. For the Reds, Giorgi Mamardashvili’s save from Emmanuel Emegha was a crucial contribution.
Joe Gomez subsequently converted his penalty, before Fofana sent Chelsea’s decisive effort over the bar. After all the tension, Liverpool had their breakthrough and Anfield could finally exhale.
A 6-5 win in the shootout sealed a place in the last eight. It was not the straightforward route supporters would have wanted, but in knockout football, getting through is what counts.
The biggest positive was Liverpool’s response to adversity: first through Gakpo’s quick equaliser, then through the decisive moments in the shootout. The frustration was that they could not settle the tie before penalties. Against Chelsea, the margins remained narrow right to the end.
Next up: Bournemouth at Anfield
Liverpool’s reward is a home quarter-final against Bournemouth Iraola’s former club. That adds a personal subplot for the Reds boss, but the Cherries’ recent form suggests this will be anything but a comfortable reunion.
Bournemouth booked their place in the last eight with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa, following victories by the same scoreline against AC Milan and Manchester United. Three successive 3-0 wins in the space of a week underline the challenge Liverpool will face: a side full of confidence and carrying real momentum.
The tie is scheduled for the week commencing 14 December, with the exact date and kick-off time still to be confirmed.
The Anfield Corner verdict:
Relief, resilience and a place in the next round. Liverpool had to work for this one, but Gakpo’s response and the shootout contributions from Mamardashvili and Gomez helped them over the line. There is room for a more convincing performance against Bournemouth — for now, though, the cup journey continues.
Final score: Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea (Liverpool win 6-5 on penalties)
Competition: Carabao Cup, fourth round
Venue: Anfield
Date: Wednesday 28 October 2026
Starting XI and Bench
Liverpool
Starting XI: Giorgi Mamardashvili; Joe Gomez, Ronald Araújo, Virgil van Dijk (c), Kostas Tsimikas; Ryan Gravenberch, Trey Nyoni; Lewis Koumas, James McConnell, Rio Ngumoha; Cody Gakpo.
Bench: Alisson, Wataru Endo, Jérémy Jacquet, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, Federico Chiesa, Bradley Barcola, Luke Chambers.
Chelsea
Starting XI: Mike Penders; Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto; Moisés Caicedo (c), Roméo Lavia, Jordan Henderson; Pedro Neto, Danny Welbeck, Morgan Rogers.
Bench: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Levi Colwill, Olutayo Subuloye, Marco Palestra, Valentín Barco, Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli, Estêvão, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha.
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