liverpool-chelsea
Andoni Iraola moved one step closer to securing his first trophy as Liverpool boss with victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
The Reds needed a penalty shootout to get past their Premier League rivals, but it set up an eye-watering quarter-final clash with Bournemouth in December.
It was far from a classic encounter on Merseyside, but what were the key moments that secured the triumph for the Reds?
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola celebrates after the match
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola celebrates after the match
How Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup QF
After Sunday’s 2-0 triumph over Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool boss Iraola decided to make seven changes for the visit of Chelsea at Anfield last night.
There was very little to shout about during the first half an hour of the contest, but it would quickly spring into life with just a handful of minutes before the break.
In the 38th minute, Ryan Gravenberch was adjudged to have clattered through the back of Moises Caicedo, which handed Morgan Rogers the chance to convert from 12 yards.
gravenberch-liverpool (2)
gravenberch-liverpool (2)
However, Cody Gakpo would follow suit on the stroke of half-time, after the hosts were awarded their own spot kick after Wesley Fofana handled from a set piece.
Following a second half which saw just two shots on target from the Reds, it would be penalties which decided who emerged victorious from the encounter on Merseyside.
A string of two consecutive misses from Fofana and Emmanuel Emegha were enough for the Reds, who finally secured their place in the next round after a 6-5 shootout.
Liverpool's poor performers against Chelsea last night
Despite the victory at Anfield on Wednesday, there were a whole host of first-team members who endured evenings to forget during the latest Carabao Cup outing.
Academy graduate James McConnell was one of the youngsters handed the chance to impress, but failed to take advantage of the chance handed his way.
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The 22-year-old only came out on top of 40% of the ground duels he entered, and even picked up a booking for his deliberate handball when stopping a Blues counter-attack.
However, he certainly wasn’t alone in failing to deliver at Anfield, as fellow youngster Lewis Koumas endured an evening to forget against Xabi Alonso’s men.
The Welsh international could only register 12 touches of the ball during his 59-minute performance, which also saw him fail to register a single shot on goal.
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Lewis Koumas - stats against Chelsea
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Shots taken
Aerials won
Dribbles completed
Ground duels won
Fouls committed
Passes into final third
His inability to win any of the aerial battles highlighted his struggles in the final third - which will have given Iraola food for thought ahead of the quarter-final clash with his former side.
Why Liverpool's 3/10 dud needs to be dropped after Chelsea
Whilst it was an evening to hand numerous squad players a chance to impress, it’s dawg safe to say their performances will have given Iraola clarity on what’s needed going forward for Liverpool.
Two of the academy boys, Koumas and McConnell, certainly looked a level below what’s needed if the club are to be successful in the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign.
However, they certainly weren’t alone in failing to deliver the goods, as senior squad member Kostas Tsimikas also endured an evening to forget during the victory.
The Greek international was handed a start over Milos Kerkez at left-back, but it was a decision which certainly could have cost the Reds a place in the quarter-final.
The 30-year-old featured for the entirety of the contest, but massively struggled to impress at either end of the pitch - leading to questions being asked about his long-term future at the club.
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tsimikas-liverpool (2)
He could only complete 72% of his passes, resulting in him giving the ball to the opposition 23 times - an average of every four minutes during his showing at Anfield.
Tsimikas could also only complete 25% of the 12 crosses he placed into the Chelsea box, with his delivery often way below the levels expected of the experienced star.
Without the ball, he was just as ineffective, as seen by his inability to make a single tackle, whilst coming out second best in 100% of the ground and aerial duels he contested.
He did have a chance to redeem himself during the shootout, but his penalty sailed over Mike Penders’ crossbar and handed the hosts a route back into the contest.
After such a showing, the defender was handed a measly 3/10 match rating, with Iraola desperately needing to phase the one-time regular starter out of the senior ranks.
His showing last night was further evidence that he’s no longer at the level needed for success, with Kerkez needing to be reinstated to the starting eleven against Arsenal on Sunday.