Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Chelsea as Rio Ngumoha was a livewire but too many others weren't quite able to get into their groove in a much-changed side

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Andoni Iraola's much-changed Liverpool progressed into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with Wesley Fofana missing the decisive shot in a penalty shootout.

Morgan Rogers had opened the scoring from the penalty spot during a first half in which neither side looked especially convincing. Ryan Gravenberch's tackle from behind on Moises Caicedo led to that spot kick, before Cody Gakpo netted one of his own after a handball offense from Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea looked the more likely to move ahead in the tie in the second half, attacking The Kop, and Giorgi Mamardashvili made more saves than Mike Penders.

Winners

Rio Ngumoha showed some rare glimpses of spark on a night when Liverpool needed something extra in attack. Some of his footwork was excellent. Trey Nyoni had more of a mixed outing, doing some very good things and very bad. The young duo were more than worthy of their opportunity, however. It was a good game for Joe Gomez, making his second start under Andoni Iraola, too.

Losers

Gravenberch gave away a penalty in the first half, and while he wasn't the only one, he put in an odd performance. There were elements that were good, but he was rash and not as involved as he is at his best. James McConnell, meanwhile, simply isn't suited to being the most advanced of the midfield trio, and Lewis Koumas has not often played down the right for a reason.

Player ratings

Giorgi Mamardashvili (7). Keeping his place in this competition, the Georgian took no chances with his distribution. Made the saves you would expect him to make and then a really good one from Marco Palestra. Good stop from Emmanuel Emegha in the shootout.

Joe Gomez (7). In the starting XI for only the second time this season, he showed no signs of rust. Against the tricky Morgan Rogers, he slotted in well at the back and proved himself another option in that role moving forward. Quick across the ground.

Ronald Araujo (6). In the side again and at center-back rather than full-back, he would have enjoyed being in his best role. He defended well but didn't have as much to do as he might have. A little fortunate with a tackle on Rogers in the box first half and should probably have scored with a free header in the second.

Virgil van Dijk (7). Starting to give Jeremy Jacquet a rest, he was stepping up to defend on the front foot and almost played Cody Gakpo in after one well-timed interception. Got a little frustrated with the decision-making of those around him.

Kostas Tsimikas (6). He is becoming the midweek left-back and has had a mixed season to date. Did well enough with the threat of Pedro Neto but limited success when he ventured forward. A dreadful penalty in the shootout.

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Trey Nyoni (6). The teenager has been so impressive under Andoni Iraola so far and he was winning the ball back regularly here, snapping into tackles in the center. Too many times, however, the pass that followed was uncharacteristically misplaced.

Ryan Gravenberch (5). Deeper-lying in the center again, the Liverpool number 38 wasn't as involved as he would have liked and gave away a penalty completely unnecessarily. There were good moments, but it was an odd showing. Penalty saved in the shootout.

Lewis Koumas (5). Playing on the right wing, it didn't look that natural. Booked early on for an overly enthusiastic sliding challenge and his touch got away from him a few times.

James McConnell (5). He really isn't a number 10, but Iraola seems to like him there. Booked for a handball after a really poor touch in the middle of the pitch and never looked that comfortable. Ran a lot but not much of a threat in terms of chance creation.

Rio Ngumoha (7). Facing his former club, he looked to drive at Josh Acheampong as often as possible. Some of his dribbling was magical to watch, and he looked the likeliest to create something from nowhere in the first half. Quieter in the second.

Cody Gakpo (6). Up top ahead of Alexander Isak and starting a third successive game, the Dutchman scored from the spot twice, but needed a better pass into him or a better touch on a few counter-attacks. Good from 12 yards, but far from perfect in general play.

Substitutes

Florian Wirtz (6). Given a third of the game, he struggled to get into it. Could not win anything in the air when the ball was punted up to him. Missed a big chance, and then overhit an easy pass to set Gakpo away. Expertly taken penalty in the shootout.

Bradley Barcola (6). Brought on at the same time as Wirtz, he was unfortunate with one low effort when he cut inside and showed a few really neat bits of skill.

Jeremy Jacquet (6). Came on and slotted in well without having that much to do. Gave Van Dijk a short rest.

Alexander Isak (6). Good at penalties and converted his confidently.

Alexis Mac Allister (6). Another spot kick specialist, he couldn't get up to speed in the 90 minutes, but smashed the ball home.