Liverpool edge Chelsea on penalties to set up Bournemouth quarter-final

Liverpool beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out at Anfield to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, after a 1-1 draw was settled by Wesley Fofana’s missed spot-kick.

Fofana sent his attempt over the Kop in sudden death after Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had saved from Chelsea debutant Emmanuel Emegha. Valentin Barco also hit the post as Liverpool won a dramatic shoot-out.

The result extended Liverpool’s winning run to five matches in all competitions. Chelsea, meanwhile, have lost twice in succession following their Premier League defeat by Tottenham.

Neither side could find a goal from open play during normal time, with both goals coming from penalties in an eventful end to the first half.

Chelsea took the lead in the 40th minute when Morgan Rogers converted from the spot after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo. Liverpool were level three minutes later, with Cody Gakpo scoring from 12 yards after Fofana handled Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.

Chelsea were forced into a defensive change before the interval as Maxence Lacroix went off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. Levi Colwill replaced him.

Both teams had chances to settle the tie after the break. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders made important saves to deny Ronald Araujo and substitute Bradley Barcola, while Mamardashvili kept out attempts from Rogers and Marco Palestra.

Florian Wirtz also missed a close-range opportunity for Liverpool before the match went to penalties.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was pleased with the contribution of his younger players, having named Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas in his starting line-up.

“I think they did a good job,” Iraola said. “They deserved the right to play because they were also very good against Spurs in the last round. We told them they are first-team players and we are confident if they have to play.”

He added: “They showed us they had a very good level and they helped us a lot.”

Iraola said the contest had been closely fought, with neither team creating many clear chances, but welcomed Liverpool’s progress into the last eight.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was disappointed to leave the competition, although he felt his side had performed well enough to challenge Liverpool at Anfield.

“We saw a proper cup game, intense and really close. Then penalties are open for everything,” Alonso said.

“It was a solid performance. I saw a team competing and showing a good level. This is the least important competition for us and now the focus is on the Premier League.”

Liverpool will face Bournemouth in the quarter-finals, with the ties scheduled for the week commencing December 14. The fixture will see Iraola come up against his former club.

The other last-eight ties are Fleetwood against either Everton or Newcastle, Manchester City versus Bradford, and Crystal Palace against Sunderland.