Chelsea have crashed out of the Carabao Cup after losing 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool following a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Match Report
In a game that offered little excitement for long periods, both sides scored from the penalty spot in the first half before Liverpool eventually secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch brought down Moises Caicedo inside the penalty area.
Morgan Rogers stepped up and calmly converted the resulting penalty to give the visitors the advantage.
However, Chelsea’s lead lasted just three minutes.
Wesley Fofana handled a Liverpool corner inside the box, giving the hosts an opportunity to respond. Cody Gakpo made no mistake from the spot, sending the teams into the break level at 1-1.
Liverpool improved after the break, creating several opportunities to take the lead.
Mike Penders produced important saves to deny Ronald Araujo and Bradley Barcola, while Giorgi Mamardashvili also kept Chelsea in the contest.
The Blues had their own opportunities, with Marco Palestra coming particularly close to finding a late winner. However, Mamardashvili produced an excellent save to keep Liverpool level.
Neither side could find another goal, meaning the tie would be decided by penalties. The penalty shootout proved just as dramatic as the game itself.
Both teams converted their first five attempts before Valentin Barco and Kostas Tsimikas missed for their respective sides.
Liverpool goalkeeper Mamardashvili then saved Emmanuel Emegha’s effort, leaving Wesley Fofana with the responsibility of keeping Chelsea alive.
The defender failed to convert, sending his effort over the crossbar and handing Liverpool a 6-5 shootout victory.
For Chelsea, it is another disappointing result after their recent Premier League defeat to Tottenham. Liverpool advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Bournemouth at Anfield.
