Liverpool defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time to reach the next round of the Carabao Cup at the Anfield Stadium.
Joe Gomez scored the winning penalty at home after both teams missed opportunities to settle the fourth-round tie during the 90 minutes.
Cody Gakpo scored from the penalty spot for the Reds, while Morgan Rogers put the Blues ahead with another spot kick earlier.
The match produced little attacking action in the first half before both teams improved after the break. They both had their moments all through the normal time which they could not score.
Liverpool made seven changes to their starting lineup, with Joe Gomez, James McConnell, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha among those given opportunities to play the Cup tie.
Chelsea also made changes, with Jordan Henderson starting in midfield against his former club. Xabi Alonso had to make some changes along the way with Manchester United at hand.
The opening stages were quiet, as both teams struggled to create clear chances. Rio Ngumoha showed some promise going forward, but neither side managed to find the breakthrough.
The Blues were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo inside the box. Rogers stepped up and confidently sent the ball past goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
However, Chelsea’s advantage did not last long. Liverpool were handed a penalty just three minutes later when Wesley Fofana handled the ball inside the penalty area.
Gakpo took responsibility for the spot kick and calmly sent the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 in the 43rd minute as play carried on.
Both goals came from penalties, meaning neither team scored from open play during the first half. The Reds also struggled to create clear openings, while the Blues found it difficult to turn possession into meaningful attacking chances.
Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas and James McConnell received yellow cards in the first half as the game became more physical. The teams went into the break level at 1-1, leaving everything to play for in the second half.
The host introduced Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz around the hour mark in an attempt to improve their attacking threat which was slowing down a bit with tired legs.
The changes made a difference, with Bradley Barcola forcing a good save from goalkeeper Mike Penders shortly after coming on.
Joe Gomez also produced an excellent cross that found Ronald Araujo, whose header tested Penders. The Chelsea goalkeeper responded well to keep the score level.
At the other end, Gomez made an important defensive block to stop the visitors from creating a dangerous opportunity. The game became more open as both teams searched for a winner.
Mamardashvili made a good save to deny Marco Palestra, while Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola were also denied from close range.
Despite the improved attacking play, neither team could find another goal. The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, sending the tie to a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout delivered more drama as both teams struggled to maintain their perfect records as they both lost control at some point.
Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, Gakpo and Wirtz scored their penalties for Liverpool. However, Kostas Tsimikas sent his effort over the crossbar, while Gravenberch saw his kick saved by Penders.
Chelsea also had their problems from the penalty spot. Valentin Barco missed his penalty, while Mamardashvili produced an important save to deny Emmanuel Emegha.
With the shootout level at 5-5 after 14 kicks, Joe Gomez stepped forward and confidently sent his penalty into the top corner. It was a special moment for the defender, who had never scored a goal in his senior career.
Wesley Fofana then missed the visitors next penalty, sending his effort over the crossbar and handing the host a dramatic 6-5 victory at the end of the encounter.
Liverpool’s victory was built on their ability to recover from going behind and remain focused during a difficult penalty shootout.
Gakpo’s equaliser kept the Reds in the encounter, while Mamardashvili’s save and Gomez’s winning penalty proved decisive.
The Blues will be disappointed after coming close to forcing their way through, especially after taking the lead through Morgan Rogers.
However, the Reds will be pleased to have progressed despite struggling to create clear chances during normal time.
The result sends Liverpool into the next round of the Carabao Cup, while Chelsea must turn their attention to their upcoming fixtures which would see them go against Manchester United.
