Liverpool booked its place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea, with the club's youngsters repaying the faith shown in them by Andoni Iraola
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Andoni Iraola manager / head coach of Liverpool reacts during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on October 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola gave a rousing speech to Liverpool’s young players, making his confidence in them clear before they helped the Reds overcome Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool booked its place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a penalty shootout victory over Xabi Alonso’s side at Anfield on Wednesday. After Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo both scored from the spot in regular time, the hosts eventually came through the shootout 6-5 to book another home tie against Bournemouth in December.
It’s yet another fixture to add to an already packed schedule, although based on yesterday’s performance, Iraola won’t have any reservations about throwing in some of his young players again.
The Liverpool boss made seven changes to the side which beat Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday, with his team taking on a much more youthful look as Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and James McConnell were all handed a start.
The former trio are developing into first-team regulars, while McConnell has had to be a little more patient for his opportunities, but the Reds’ head coach is in no doubt as to their position now.
"I think they did a good job,” Iraola told Sky Sports after the game. “I think they deserved the right to play because they were also very good against Spurs in the last round.
Cody Gakpo scored for Liverpool against Chelsea.
Liverpool managed to overcome a much more experienced Chelsea side(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“We told them, they are first-team players and we are confident if they have to play. They showed us they had a very good level and they helped us a lot."
On the game, Iraola added: "I think it was quite a level game. Very competitive, not a lot of chances for both teams. There were moments for us, moments for them.
"We are really happy with the performances of a lot of the players and obviously happy to finish on the right end of the penalty shootout because it gave us the chance to be in the draw.”
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The victory over Chelsea supplied yet more evidence of the growing belief being instilled by Iraola, with the Reds managing to overcome a much more experienced Blues side to give themselves the perfect build-up to this weekend’s huge league game against defending champions Arsenal.
"It's three in a row at home which is very important,” Iraola said. “We were struggling a little bit at home. Now we have the confidence of winning three in a row and now we have the biggest one against Arsenal on Sunday.
"We don't have a lot of time. Some of the ones who played most of the minutes will need a very good rest. Then we'll see who is available on Sunday."