Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday, 28 October, reaching the quarter-finals of the English League Cup when Wesley Fofana sent the decisive attempt over the crossbar.
Joe Gomez converted Liverpool’s eighth penalty before Fofana had to score to keep Chelsea in the competition. His miss ended a shootout in which both sides had earlier been given opportunities to win the tie.
The match was short on clear chances during its opening stages, with both defences restricting the forwards. Maxence Lacroix denied Cody Gakpo a shooting opportunity, while Virgil van Dijk prevented Danny Welbeck from progressing into a dangerous position.
The game opened up shortly before half-time. Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo inside the area, allowing Morgan Rogers to give Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute.
Liverpool’s response came almost immediately. Fofana handled a corner, resulting in a penalty for the hosts, and Gakpo converted in the 43rd minute to make it 1-1.
Neither side could find a winner in normal time, although both goalkeepers were tested after the interval. Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved from Rogers and then made another important stop to deny Marco Palestra a late Chelsea goal.
At the other end, Mike Penders kept Chelsea level by stopping a close-range header from Ronald Araujo and a further effort by Bradley Barcola. The introductions of Barcola and Florian Wirtz gave Liverpool additional attacking options, but neither could produce the goal needed to avoid penalties.
Liverpool had made seven changes from their previous league match, including opportunities for Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas.
The shootout continued the balance of the match. After Valentin Barco hit the post for Chelsea, Kostas Tsimikas could have sent Liverpool through with the Reds’ fifth attempt. However, the Greek midfielder put his effort over.
Penders then saved Gravenberch’s penalty, putting Chelsea in position to finish the contest. Mamardashvili kept Liverpool alive by stopping Emmanuel Emegha’s attempt.
Both teams scored their next penalties, leaving Gomez to convert Liverpool’s sixth successful kick from their eighth attempt. Fofana then needed to score, but lifted his effort over the bar.
Mamardashvili’s saves during the match and the shootout proved crucial to Liverpool’s progress. Chelsea will reflect on the effect of two mistakes by Fofana: his handball allowed Liverpool to equalise, while his missed penalty confirmed their elimination. Penders had nevertheless given Chelsea the chance to go through.
Liverpool will host Bournemouth in the quarter-finals, with the tie scheduled for the week of 14 December at Anfield. Fleetwood had eliminated Arsenal on penalties in the same competition the previous day.
