According to a report by the Evening Standard on Thursday, October 29, 2026, Liverpool defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Anfield to secure their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The match was decided by a dramatic shootout after both teams scored from the penalty spot during normal time. Joe Gomez converted the decisive kick for Liverpool, while Wesley Fofana missed Chelsea’s final attempt by sending his effort over the crossbar.

The victory continued Liverpool’s impressive record against Chelsea in Carabao Cup penalty shootouts, following their memorable 11-10 triumph in the competition’s final at Wembley four years ago.

Chelsea took the lead shortly before half-time when Morgan Rogers converted a penalty after Ryan Gravenberch brought down Moises Caicedo with a challenge from behind.

Liverpool responded almost immediately after Fofana handled the ball during a scramble following a corner. Cody Gakpo stepped forward and converted the resulting penalty to restore parity.

Both teams struggled to create clear-cut opportunities during a contest that lacked consistent quality, with the two penalties providing the goals in a brief spell of action towards the end of the first half.

Rogers had an opportunity to put Chelsea ahead again early in the second half after being played through on goal, but his poor touch allowed Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili to collect the ball.

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders also produced important saves, including stopping a header from Ronald Araujo and turning a low effort from Bradley Barcola around the post.

Liverpool introduced Florian Wirtz and Barcola shortly before the hour mark in an attempt to improve their attacking threat. Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak also came on during the closing stages, but neither side found a winner before the game went to penalties.

Liverpool made seven changes to their starting line-up, while Chelsea made four alterations. However, the decisions ultimately had little influence on the outcome as the tie was settled by the players’ composure from the spot.

Both teams converted several penalties before the shootout reached its decisive stages. Liverpool missed an opportunity to finish the contest earlier when Kostas Tsimikas sent his effort over the crossbar after Valentin Barco had struck the post for Chelsea.

Mamardashvili subsequently saved Emmanuel Emegha’s penalty, giving Liverpool another opportunity to progress. Gomez converted his kick before Fofana missed, confirming the Reds’ 6-5 shootout victory.