Valentin Barco missed a penalty miss in the Carabao Cup last 16 using a stuttered run-up at Anfield.

The stutter penalty drew fresh attention after two high-profile misses in the Carabao Cup last 16. Chelsea midfielder Valentin Barco hit the post with a stuttered run-up during a penalty shootout against Liverpool, costing his side a spot in the quarter-finals before Liverpool eventually advanced when defender Wesley Fofana missed in sudden death at Anfield.

Cup Misses Revive Penalty Debate

Barco’s miss followed a similar failure by Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, whose stop-start spot-kick was saved as the Gunners crashed out of the competition against League Two side Fleetwood Town. Both players found themselves contrasted with Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, who had never scored a senior goal in 319 professional appearances before rifling the winning penalty into the top corner using a straightforward run-up.

Players typically employ the stutter technique to trick goalkeepers into committing early, but the approach carries steep risks if takers fail to hit the target or if goalkeepers hold their nerve. Former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta defended the personal style on ITV, noting that players rely on what brings them confidence.

Every player picks his style where he feels confident, and for Valentin Barco, I believe that is his way of shooting it. I don’t believe that was his first time, I hope not!

Cesar Azpilicueta

Examines FIFA Regulations on Stop-Start Penalties

Stop-start run-ups featured heavily at the World Cup over the summer, where players took 26 stutter penalties but missed 11 of them. Under FIFA regulations, the technique lacks a strict definition, though players are legally permitted to stop or feint during their run-up provided they do not do so immediately before striking the ball.

Harry Kane also attempted the method during the summer tournament, resulting in Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saving his penalty in England’s 4-2 victory. Kane ultimately secured a retake because Livakovic stepped off his line early, subsequently smashing home his effort with a conventional approach. Meanwhile, Brazil and Arsenal midfielder Guimaraes retained his stuttering style at Fleetwood despite missing during the World Cup.

Football icons including Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho, and Wolves striker Raul Jimenez have famously utilized the stop-start approach with varying degrees of success.

Pundits React to Technique

Reaction among former professionals remains divided. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy voiced opposition on TalkSport, dismissing the method as an unnecessary distraction.

Conversely, former Liverpool and Chelsea full-back Glen Johnson defended the approach on ITV, arguing that the technique grants takers extra time, though he expressed bewilderment at Barco’s execution.

I like the technique. It gives the players a bit of time. What confused me about that one [from Barco] is usually players are watching the keeper. He has moved, he has got it right and gone the right way but lifted it in the air for no reason. You have the whole goal to shoot at and that is the surprising part. He has already beaten the goalkeeper, he doesn’t have to hit it into the top corner. If he puts that ball three inches to the right you would say it is the best penalty you have seen.

Glen Johnson's comments reflect the ongoing debate over penalty-taking strategies in professional football.