Full Breakdown
Liverpool Edge Chelsea on Penalties to Reach Carabao Cup Quarter-Finals
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In this breakdown
01
Core Event
On October 28 2026 Liverpool and Chelsea finished 1-1 after 90 minutes at Anfield in the fourth round of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup. Both goals came from the spot – Morgan Rogers (Chelsea, 40´) and Cody Gakpo (Liverpool, 43´). The tie was settled by a penalty shoot-out that Liverpool won 6-5. Joe Gomez converted the decisive kick, while Wesley Fofana’s miss in sudden death handed Liverpool progression to a quarter-final against AFC Bournemouth.
02
Background & Context
Chelsea have now lost five straight shoot-outs to Liverpool, adding to previous defeats in the 2007 Champions League semi-final, the 2019 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2022 FA and League Cup finals.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics
- Possession: Liverpool 52 % – Chelsea 48 % (Sports Illustrated).
- Shots: Liverpool 10 – Chelsea 11; Shots on target: 4 each.
- Expected goals (xG): Liverpool 2.10 – Chelsea 1.82.
- Big chances: 4 each; Pass accuracy: 79 % for both sides.
- Fouls: Liverpool 12 – Chelsea 9; Corners: Liverpool 7 – Chelsea 5.
- Penalty shoot-out: Liverpool scored 6 of 7 (including Gomez’s winner); Chelsea missed three (Valentín Barco, Emmanuel Emegha, Wesley Fofana).
04
Official Statements & Responses
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso called the outcome “harsh” and said the Carabao Cup ranks low on his club’s priorities, shifting focus to the Premier League.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili said pre-match research on Chelsea’s penalty takers was inaccurate, but highlighted his save from Emmanuel Emegha as the turning point.
05
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — Andoni Iraola, Liverpool head coach
- “Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition.” — Xabi Alonso
06
Criticism & Opposition
Chelsea’s 19-year-old Brazilian forward Estêvão was omitted from the match-day squad despite limited minutes earlier in the season. Media commentary described the decision as “mystifying,” suggesting it may hinder the development of a player once hailed as a future Ballon d’Or contender. No official club response was recorded.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of lineup changes each manager made. The Guardian and ESPN report that Andoni Iraola made seven changes to his starting XI, while Sky Sports note only four. Reports of Chelsea’s substitutions also vary between four and five changes.
08
What’s Next
Liverpool’s quarter-final draw pairs them with former manager Andoni Iraola’s old club AFC Bournemouth at Anfield in mid-December. The club also faces Arsenal on November 1 2026 and a Champions League away tie at Fenerbahçe on November 4 2026. Chelsea will next host Manchester United in the league on Saturday following the cup exit.