Liverpool advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after defeating Chelsea 6-5 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili proved decisive for the Reds, saving Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty before Wesley Fofana missed the final spot-kick by firing over the crossbar.
The Liverpool vs Chelsea clash delivered late drama as both teams struggled to find a winner during normal time. Morgan Rogers gave Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot, but Cody Gakpo quickly equalised for Liverpool. With neither side able to score again, the last-16 tie went straight to penalties, where Liverpool kept their hopes of winning another major domestic trophy alive.
Liverpool vs Chelsea: Match Result and Key Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Liverpool vs Chelsea |
| Competition | Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) |
| Round | Last 16 |
| Date | October 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Anfield |
| Full-time score | Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea |
| Penalty shootout | Liverpool won 6-5 |
| Liverpool scorers | Cody Gakpo (43′, penalty) |
| Chelsea scorer | Morgan Rogers (40′, penalty) |
| Player of the Match | Giorgi Mamardashvili |
| Next round | Carabao Cup quarter-finals |
Liverpool vs Chelsea: How the Match Unfolded
The contest started cautiously, with neither goalkeeper facing much action during the opening stages. However, the game came alive shortly before half-time when two penalties changed the scoreline within three minutes.
Morgan Rogers Gives Chelsea the Lead
Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch committed a foul on Moises Caicedo inside the penalty area. Referee Darren England pointed to the spot, giving the visitors an opportunity to take control of the tie.
Jordan Henderson initially approached the ball but handed responsibility to Morgan Rogers. The Chelsea midfielder calmly sent Mamardashvili the wrong way to make it 1-0.
The goal gave Chelsea a valuable advantage, but their lead lasted only a few minutes.
Cody Gakpo Equalises for Liverpool
Liverpool responded in the 43rd minute after Wesley Fofana handled the ball inside Chelsea’s penalty area. The referee awarded Liverpool a penalty, allowing Cody Gakpo to bring the hosts level.
Gakpo converted confidently, sending goalkeeper Mike Penders in the opposite direction. His equaliser made it 1-1 and ensured that the teams entered half-time on equal terms.
The two penalties proved to be the only goals of normal time in a closely contested encounter.
Liverpool Push for a Winner After Half-Time
Liverpool increased the pressure after the break, looking to make their home advantage count. Manager Andoni Iraola introduced Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola as the Reds attempted to find a breakthrough.
The substitutions gave Liverpool additional attacking options, but Chelsea remained dangerous on the counter-attack.
Penders produced important saves to deny Ronald Araujo and Barcola, keeping Chelsea in the contest. At the other end, Marco Palestra forced Mamardashvili into an impressive stop as the visitors searched for a late winner.
Neither side managed to score again. With the Carabao Cup tie level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the match moved directly to a penalty shootout without extra time.
Liverpool vs Chelsea Penalty Shootout: Mamardashvili Becomes the Hero
The shootout provided the decisive moment of the night, with both teams experiencing missed opportunities and moments of pressure.
Chelsea’s Valentin Barco struck the woodwork, while Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas sent his attempt over the crossbar. Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson converted for Chelsea, adding another emotional moment to his return to Anfield.
Mike Penders then saved Ryan Gravenberch’s effort, giving Chelsea a chance to win the tie. However, Mamardashvili kept Liverpool alive by saving Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty.
Joe Gomez subsequently scored for Liverpool, while Levi Colwill and Bradley Barcola also converted for Chelsea. The shootout continued into its later stages, with pressure mounting on the remaining takers.
The decisive moment arrived when Wesley Fofana stepped up and fired his penalty over the crossbar. His miss confirmed Liverpool’s 6-5 shootout victory and sent the home supporters into celebration.
The result continued Liverpool’s remarkable record against Chelsea in penalty shootouts, with the Reds winning their fifth consecutive shootout against the London club.
Giorgi Mamardashvili Wins Player of the Match
Mamardashvili was instrumental in Liverpool’s progression. Although the goalkeeper could not prevent Rogers from scoring Chelsea’s penalty during normal time, his shootout save against Emegha proved crucial.
The goalkeeper received a BBC Sport user rating of 7.83, the highest among the listed Liverpool players. Joe Gomez also played an important role by converting his penalty during the decisive stages.
For Chelsea, the defeat was particularly frustrating because the team had an opportunity to win the tie after Penders stopped Gravenberch’s attempt. Mamardashvili’s intervention changed the momentum, and Fofana’s subsequent miss ended their Carabao Cup campaign.
Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson Return to Anfield
The Liverpool vs. Chelsea match carried additional significance because Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield.
Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player in 2005, brought Chelsea to Merseyside looking for a place in the quarter-finals. Henderson, another former Liverpool captain, started for the visitors and faced a mixed reception from the Anfield crowd.
Chelsea entered the match looking to recover from their recent Premier League defeat to Tottenham. The absence of suspended Cole Palmer and injured João Pedro also affected their attacking options.
Despite showing improvement and competing strongly, Alonso’s side could not finish the job. The penalty defeat represented another setback after their disappointing league result.
Liverpool, meanwhile, extended their winning run to five matches in all competitions. The victory provided further momentum for Iraola, whose team continued to build confidence ahead of a demanding Premier League schedule.
Carabao Cup Draw: Who Will Liverpool Face Next?
Liverpool’s victory secured a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, bringing them one step closer to another domestic cup triumph.
The next opponent confirmed in the supplied match report is Bournemouth, managed by Andoni Iraola’s former club connection as described in the coverage. Liverpool will meet Bournemouth at Anfield in the quarter-final stage.
Fans following the Carabao Cup draw and the wider EFL Cup draw will be watching closely to see how the remaining fixtures shape the route to the semi-finals and final.
The quarter-final stage represents a significant opportunity for Liverpool to maintain their cup momentum. Their ability to survive a tense shootout against Chelsea could prove valuable as the competition progresses.
For Chelsea, elimination means they must turn their attention back to the Premier League and their remaining fixtures. Alonso’s team showed enough resilience to take the tie to penalties, but missed opportunities ultimately proved costly.
What Liverpool’s Victory Means
Liverpool’s 6-5 penalty victory was more than just a place in the next round. It extended their impressive shootout record against Chelsea, maintained their winning streak and gave Mamardashvili an opportunity to make a major contribution.
The Reds will now look to carry that confidence into their next Premier League fixture against Arsenal. A positive result would strengthen their position in the league and provide another measure of their progress under Iraola.
Chelsea will need to recover quickly from the disappointment. Their performance at Anfield was competitive, but the missed penalty from Fofana ensured that Liverpool emerged victorious.
Conclusion
Liverpool defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Carabao Cup last 16 at Anfield on October 28, 2026. Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo scored from the spot during normal time before Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty and Wesley Fofana missed the decisive attempt.
The result sends Liverpool into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Bournemouth. For Chelsea, the defeat ends their hopes in this season’s competition, while Liverpool can celebrate another dramatic victory over their familiar rivals.
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