Credit : Premier League's X
Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout at Anfield to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals, after the fourth-round tie finished 1-1 in normal time on Wednesday night in England.
The Premier League marked the result on its official X account, describing it as “an epic penalty shootout” against Chelsea. Joe Gomez, who has never scored for Liverpool in regulation time, struck the decisive spot-kick into the top corner before Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana sent his effort over the bar, according to BBC Sport and The Guardian’s live coverage.
Two penalties in three minutes
A cagey first half burst into life just before the break. Chelsea went ahead in the 40th minute when Ryan Gravenberch bundled over Moisés Caicedo in the box and Morgan Rogers converted the penalty. Three minutes later Liverpool were level in the same way, as Fofana handled from a corner while challenging Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo swept home from the spot, according to match reports from The Guardian and the Irish Examiner.
The second half brought chances at both ends but no more goals. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders denied Ronald Araujo with a strong save from close range and later tipped a Bradley Barcola shot around the post, while Giorgi Mamardashvili kept out a Marco Palestra effort at the other end as Chelsea pushed late on.
A shootout of twists
The first seven penalties were all scored before Valentín Barco hit the inside of the post for Chelsea, handing Kostas Tsimikas the chance to win it for Liverpool. He fired over the bar. Jordan Henderson, Liverpool’s former captain, then scored against his old club to take the contest to sudden death.
Ryan Gravenberch had his kick saved by Penders, leaving Chelsea one kick from the last eight, but Mamardashvili dived to stop debutant Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty. Gomez then scored, and Fofana’s miss sealed Liverpool’s place in the quarter-finals.
The Guardian noted that Liverpool have now won all five penalty shootouts they have contested against Chelsea, including the 2022 League Cup and FA Cup finals.
Alonso’s Anfield return ends in defeat
The tie also marked a return to Anfield for Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who made more than 200 appearances for Liverpool before joining Real Madrid. His side exit the competition, while Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was pictured embracing Mamardashvili after the shootout.
Quarter-final line-up
Liverpool join Manchester City, who beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, as well as Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Sunderland, who all won on Wednesday. League Two side Fleetwood Town, who knocked out Arsenal on penalties, and League One’s Bradford City are also through after Tuesday’s ties. Everton host Newcastle United on Thursday, October 29, to complete the round, with the winner taking the final place in the quarter-final draw.
The EFL Cup, known as the Carabao Cup for sponsorship reasons, is contested by the 92 clubs of the Premier League and the English Football League, with the final traditionally held at Wembley Stadium.
Source: Premier League’s X, BBC Sport, The Guardian, Irish Examiner, The Independent
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