Liverpool defeat Chelsea on penalties to reach Carabao Cup quarter‑finals

A 1‑1 draw was settled by a dramatic shoot‑out, with Liverpool edging Chelsea to move on in the tournament.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 29 Oct 2026 02:58:28 GMT

Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup quarter‑finals after a 1‑1 draw with Chelsea was decided by penalties at Anfield on October 28, 2026, according to Gulf News and The Independent.

What happened

The fourth‑round tie ended level after regular time, with Chelsea taking the lead through Morgan Rogers before Cody Gakpo equalised from the spot just before half‑time. Both teams then held each other to a goalless second half, sending the match to a shoot‑out.

In the shoot‑out, Chelsea’s Valentin Barco struck the post, while Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas missed his attempt by blasting over the cross‑bar. Ryan Gravenberch saw his penalty saved by Chelsea keeper Mike Penders, and Giorgi Mamardashvili kept Liverpool alive by denying Emmanuel Emegha. Liverpool’s Joe Gomez scored, and Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana mis‑hit his kick, allowing Liverpool to clinch the win.

What the reports add

Gulf News highlighted the personal rivalry between childhood friends Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso, noting that Iraola earned bragging rights after Liverpool’s win.
The Independent recorded that this was Chelsea’s fifth shoot‑out loss to Liverpool, with previous defeats in the 2007 Champions League semi‑final, the 2019 Super Cup, the 2022 Carabao Cup and the 2022 FA Cup.
Both outlets noted that this was the third time in six seasons Liverpool have eliminated Chelsea from the Carabao Cup.
Iraola made seven changes to his side after Liverpool’s 2‑0 league win over Brighton, while Alonso made four changes to Chelsea’s lineup, which had lost 2‑0 to Tottenham the previous weekend.
Rogers put Chelsea ahead with a 40th‑minute penalty after Gravenberch clattered into Moisés Caicedo; Gakpo levelled three minutes later from the spot following a handball by Wesley Fofana.
After the shoot‑out, Iraola said Liverpool had “three wins at home in a row is very important” and looked ahead to a league clash with Arsenal.
The Independent listed the penalty takers who scored: Joe Gomez (who had never scored in 12 seasons and 278 games at Anfield), Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, the latter four coming on as substitutes.
Iraola commented on his substitution policy: “When I have done the last subs and I put Alexis and Alex on, it starts to be in your head.”
Alonso lamented the draw: “The only thing I wouldn’t want is Bournemouth,” and added, “We haven’t been lucky with the draws.”
Alonso also said Chelsea’s defeat was “a small setback, probably the least important competition,” noting the club’s rare season out of Europe and its first chance at silverware now gone.

What was said

“Once we reached the penalties there is going to be a sad sight,”

— Xabi Alonso, quoted by The Independent.

“It is a small setback, probably the least important competition,”

— Xabi Alonso, quoted by The Independent.

“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, quoted by Gulf News.

“When I have done the last subs and I put Alexis and Alex on, it starts to be in your head,”

— Andoni Iraola, quoted by The Independent.

How it came about

The rivalry between the two clubs has been intensified by recent financial drama surrounding Manchester City, which featured in several Felo News pieces earlier in October, including the financial‑breach verdict and the subsequent Anfield clash (Man City financial verdict, City 3‑0 win at Anfield). Liverpool’s recent 2‑0 league win over Brighton (Brighton win) had also boosted their confidence heading into the cup tie.

Key facts

Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties after a 1‑1 draw in the Carabao Cup fourth round. (gulfnews.com)
Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea an early lead; Cody Gakpo equalised from the penalty spot. (gulfnews.com)
Chelsea’s Valentin Barco hit the post and Wesley Fofana missed his penalty. (independent.co.uk)
Xabi Alonso called the loss a small setback and the least important competition. (independent.co.uk)