Chelsea were eliminated from the Carabao Cup in the fourth round by Liverpool after a penalty shootout that required 20 kicks to settle. Wesley Fofana missed the decisive spot-kick, sending his effort over the crossbar and ending the Blues' run in the competition.
The match was level at half-time after penalties from Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo, and an open second half failed to separate the two sides. Liverpool came close to winning the shootout when Valentin Barco missed, but Kostas Tsimikas sent a potential winner into the Kop end, forcing sudden death.
Goalkeepers and Defenders
Mike Penders was a significant improvement from his display against Tottenham, making a reaction save to deny Ronald Araujo on the hour mark and another to foil Bradley Barcola shortly after. He also saved from Ryan Gravenberch in the shootout, though his distribution still needs work. Josh Acheampong endured a difficult evening against Rio Ngumoha, who earned him a yellow card, but put in a block to deny Barcola an open goal.
Wesley Fofana conceded a penalty by handling the ball in the box, from which Liverpool equalised, and later missed the decisive spot-kick. Maxence Lacroix defended solidly in the first half before appearing to injure his hamstring. Malo Gusto struggled against Lewis Koumas and was booked, while Moises Caicedo was off the boil and won a first-half penalty from Ryan Gravenberch.
Midfield and Attack
Romeo Lavia started in midfield for the first time since the draw with Hull in early September, covering ground and limiting the influence of Gravenberch and Nyoni. He scored coolly from the spot. Jordan Henderson led the press with vigour against his former club. Pedro Neto had a quiet evening but converted in the shootout, while Morgan Rogers dispatched a tidy first-half penalty and another in the shootout.
Danny Welbeck struggled to get the better of Virgil van Dijk, who marshalled him throughout. Substitutes Levi Colwill, Emmanuel Emegha, Valentin Barco and Marco Palestra all came on, with Barco hitting the post in the shootout. The defeat ends Chelsea's involvement in the Carabao Cup for this season.
