Liverpool have advanced to the Quarter-Finals of the Carabao Cup 2026-27, but only after a captivating and tense battle against rivals Chelsea that culminated in a penalty shootout at Anfield on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 8:00 PM GMT. The Reds emerged victorious with a 6-5 win on penalties, largely thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and Joe Gomez's winning spot-kick. Fleetwood Town Shocks Arsenal to Eliminate Premier League Champions from EFL Cup 2026-27 via Penalties.

The closely contested encounter saw both teams locked at 1-1 after a pulsating 90 minutes of football. Chelsea's Morgan Rogers opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 40th minute, but Liverpool's Cody Gakpo found an equaliser, also from a penalty, in the 43rd minute, ensuring the tie would require a shootout to separate the Premier League giants.

Dramatic Shootout Decided by Goalkeeping Brilliance and Decisive Spot-Kicks

The game's intensity only ratcheted up during the penalty shootout. After a series of expertly taken spot-kicks from both sides, it was Liverpool's Georgian shot-stopper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, who seized a crucial moment. Mamardashvili made a vital save from Chelsea's Emmanuel Emegha, keeping Liverpool in the shootout. Following Joe Gomez's successful conversion, Chelsea's Wesley Fofana blazed his subsequent penalty over the bar, sealing a thrilling 6-5 victory for Liverpool and a spot in the next round of the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo's 2008 Season Crowned 'Ballon d'Or of All Time' Over Lionel Messi’s 2012.

Match Details & Key Statistics

The Fourth Round (Round of 16) clash was a typical high-stakes affair between two of England's footballing titans. Recent head-to-head records between Liverpool and Chelsea have often been tight, with 16 draws in their 41 meetings since 2010, including a 1-1 draw in May 2026. This fixture continued that trend, showcasing strong defensive displays interspersed with moments of attacking quality.

Liverpool's victory marks a significant step in their Carabao Cup campaign, demonstrating their resilience and knockout tournament pedigree. They will now look forward to the Quarter-Final draw, buoyed by Mamardashvili's crucial save and Gomez's match-winning spot-kick, while Chelsea will rue their missed opportunity but can take positives from a hard-fought performance.