Liverpool advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield was settled by a dramatic penalty shoot-out, leaving Andoni Iraola delighted with his players’ effort and Xabi Alonso determined to turn his attention back to the Premier League.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead from the penalty spot in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moisés Caicedo. Liverpool responded just three minutes later when Cody Gakpo converted from 12 yards after Wesley Fofana handled a corner.
Both sides had opportunities to settle the tie during the second half, but Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili denied Marco Palestra late on, while Chelsea’s Mike Penders made important saves to keep the visitors in contention.
The shoot-out went into sudden death after both teams converted five penalties. Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas missed the opportunity to finish the contest, while Chelsea’s Valentín Barco and Emmanuel Emegha also failed to score. Joe Gomez then converted for Liverpool before Fofana sent Chelsea’s final effort over the crossbar, securing a 6-5 victory for the home side.
Iraola was pleased his team’s work was rewarded with a place in the last eight.
“I finish pleased because the players have done a very big effort today and at least we get the reward of being in the quarter-finals,” he said, speaking to Liverpool’s official website.
The Liverpool head coach also welcomed the growing connection between his players and the supporters, who continued to encourage the team after Chelsea took the lead.
> “I feel it and I’m very happy to feel it because I think it’s very important. We need to feel what we are feeling now, the players are feeling. They are feeling the support of the ones in the stands and I think when we are all together, we create better atmospheres,” Iraola said.
“Even starting losing, there was ‘Let’s go, come on.’ A lot of the players have given us very good help and now it’s the third game at home where we finish with good feelings.”
Chelsea manager Alonso accepted the disappointment of elimination but felt his team had performed well at Anfield.
“For sure the outcome is not what we wanted. It’s not what we expected before the game. You know, once you reach the penalties, there’s going to be a sad side. This is us in the case, but I have to say that the game we have played at a very good competitive level, good performance,” he said.
“We showed an improvement, I would say. That’s what we wanted. We played with courage. The game was really, really close. There were not many chances for both sides, and we have tried to overcome difficult moments as well.”
Alonso also made clear that Chelsea would not dwell on their cup exit, describing the competition as a lower priority than their league campaign.
“It’s a small setback in this competition. It’s probably the least important competition for us in the year, so we need to move on. And as soon as we leave Anfield, our focus is Saturday’s Premier League. This is the main and the most important thing,” he said.
Chelsea now prepare for their home meeting with Manchester United, while Liverpool will host AFC Bournemouth in the quarter-finals. For Iraola, the victory offered another positive evening in front of the Anfield crowd; for Alonso, the challenge is to ensure the narrow defeat does not derail his side’s league ambitions.