LIVERPOOL (The Thursday Times) — Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties at Anfield on Wednesday to reach the League Cup quarter-finals, after Wesley Fofana blazed Chelsea’s decisive sudden-death kick over the bar and into the Kop.
The last-16 tie finished 1-1 after both goals came from the spot. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch clattered into Moises Caicedo, and Cody Gakpo levelled three minutes later after Fofana handled in the area.
Misses on both sides
The shootout swung back and forth. Valentin Barco hit the post for Chelsea with a stuttering run-up, before Kostas Tsimikas fired over when he had the chance to win it for Liverpool. Gravenberch’s kick was saved, but Giorgi Mamardashvili kept out Emmanuel Emegha’s effort. Joe Gomez, who has never scored a senior goal in more than 300 professional appearances, then rifled his penalty into the top corner before Fofana’s miss sent Liverpool through.
“We are really happy. Three wins at home in a row is very important,” said Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who will face his former club Bournemouth in the quarter-finals, after Arsenal on Sunday.
It was Xabi Alonso’s third defeat in three visits to Anfield as a manager. “Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition,” the Chelsea manager said. “The Premier League is the main focus.”
Manchester City and Sunderland also advanced on a dramatic night, a day after League Two Fleetwood knocked out Arsenal on penalties.
