Liverpool edge Chelsea on penalties as Manchester City survive Brighton test

Liverpool defeated Chelsea in a tense penalty shoot-out at Anfield to reach the League Cup quarter-finals, while holders Manchester City also needed penalties to overcome Brighton after a 2-2 draw on Wednesday.

The last-16 meeting between childhood friends Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso went the way of the Liverpool manager, despite Chelsea twice taking the lead during the shoot-out.

Chelsea went ahead in the 40th minute when Morgan Rogers converted from the spot after Ryan Gravenberch had clattered into Moises Caicedo. Liverpool responded three minutes later, with Cody Gakpo sending Mike Penders the wrong way after Wesley Fofana was penalised for handball.

Valentin Barco struck the post in the shoot-out before Kostas Tsimikas missed the chance to win the tie, blazing over the crossbar.

Penders then saved Gravenberch’s penalty, but Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili kept his side in contention by stopping Emmanuel Emegha’s effort.

Joe Gomez scored for the hosts before Fofana sent his attempt into the Kop, securing Liverpool’s place in the last eight.

The defeat was Alonso’s third in three visits to Anfield as a manager. He previously lost there with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and Real Madrid in 2025.

Liverpool’s 10-time League Cup winners are bidding to follow the route taken by Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, who both reached the final in their first seasons at the club. Iraola will face his former club Bournemouth in the quarter-finals.

“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,” said Iraola.

Alonso said: “Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition.

“We were showing a good level and this is what it takes to come to these stadiums. The Premier League is the main focus.”

Alonso made four changes to the Chelsea team beaten 2-0 at home by Tottenham on Saturday, while Iraola changed seven players from Liverpool’s 2-0 victory against Brighton on Sunday.

Rulli helps City survive Brighton scare

Manchester City were pushed all the way at Etihad Stadium before beating Brighton on penalties. City boss Enzo Maresca made nine changes following Saturday’s defeat by Aston Villa, which ended the leaders’ 100% start to the Premier League season.

Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma were among those rested.

Brighton led after 30 minutes when Malick Yalcouye turned Georginio Rutter’s shot past Geronimo Rulli from five yards. Mateo Kovacic equalised 20 minutes later with a 25-yard finish into the far corner.

Rutter restored Brighton’s advantage two minutes into the second half, converting Jaouen Hadjam’s cut-back. City levelled again in the 72nd minute when Vitor Reis deflected Rayan Cherki’s free-kick into the net.

Jason Steele saved Kovacic’s penalty, but Rulli denied Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City through. The sides meet again in the Premier League at the Etihad on Saturday, while City will play third-tier Bradford in the quarter-finals.

Bournemouth beat Aston Villa 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium, following 3-0 wins against AC Milan in the Europa League last week and Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.

Crystal Palace eased the pressure on under-fire boss Pierre Sage with a 1-0 win at Fulham. They will host Sunderland, who beat Brentford 3-2 at the Stadium of Light.

Fourth-tier Fleetwood beat Premier League champions Arsenal on penalties on Tuesday and will face the winners of Thursday’s Everton-Newcastle tie.