Anfield witnessed another European night-style drama as Liverpool battled through to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace that required extra time to separate the sides.
Palace Shock Anfield with Early Breakthrough
The Eagles soared into an unexpected lead when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted from the penalty spot after just 11 minutes, sending Caoimhin Kelleher the wrong way and silencing the Kop. Roy Hodgson's tactical setup frustrated the hosts for large periods, with Palace defending resolutely and threatening on the counter-attack.
Liverpool's Persistence Finally Pays Off
Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, Liverpool struggled to find their cutting edge against a disciplined Palace defence. The breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute when substitute Jordan Ayew turned the ball into his own net under pressure from the relentless Liverpool attack, setting up a grandstand finish to normal time.
Super Sub Seals Quarter-Final Berth
With the game seemingly heading for penalties, Harvey Elliott emerged as the hero in the 91st minute, curling a spectacular effort from the edge of the area that left Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone rooted to the spot. The young midfielder's stunning strike sent the Anfield faithful into raptures and secured Liverpool's passage to the last eight.
Key talking points:
- Penalty drama: Crystal Palace's early spot-kick set the tone for a challenging evening
- Squad depth tested: Liverpool's substitutes made crucial impacts when needed most
- European hangover? The Reds showed signs of fatigue but dug deep for victory
- Cup specialists: Klopp's men continue their impressive record in domestic competitions
The victory keeps Liverpool's quest for multiple trophies alive while Crystal Palace can take heart from a performance that pushed one of England's form teams to their absolute limits.
