Andoni Iraola named a changed Liverpool side against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. This is what we spotted as Rio Ngumoha was lively and a penalty shootout was required.

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool came from behind against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, eventually knocking Xabi Alonso's men out of the competition via a penalty shootout, with Wesley Fofana missing the decisive spot kick.

A penalty apiece from Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo saw the sides go in level at half-time, with Ryan Gravenberch and Wesley Fofana pulled up for a foul and a handball offense, respectively.

The second half was just as scrappy as the first, with few real chances of note for either side, and the introduction of some big hitters rarely altered the course. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.

Andoni Iraola gamble pays off

Making seven changes for this game, Andoni Iraola chose rotation over fielding some of his better players, even with strong Premier League opposition. With Arsenal coming up in a few days, he might argue he had no other option.

The Spaniard did at least have around $730 million (£550 million) worth of players on the bench in reserve. With a third of the game remaining, on came Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, but neither really made the desired impact.

Cody Gakpo already cut a frustrated figure — with himself at times, and some poor passes into him from others — and even Wirtz and Barcola couldn't feed him as he would have liked.

For Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, even though his side was missing several big-hitters (Joao Pedro through injury and Cole Palmer because of suspension), he was still able to field the likes of Morgan Rogers, Pedro Neto and Moises Caicedo.

Rio Ngumoha lively

Rio Ngumoha, coming up against his former club, Chelsea, was back on his favored left side, and he got at Josh Acheampong as often as he could. From a Liverpool perspective, he was the likeliest consistent threat in wide areas.

Just like Villarreal a week or so ago, Ngumoha usually had three or four opposition defenders around him when he had the ball at his feet. Often, though, he would evade them and tee up a teammate.

Leaving the Stamford Bridge side in search of a regular pathway to first-team soccer, the 18-year-old has seen that come to fruition in the last season and a bit. Under Arne Slot, his role grew; under Iraola, he has taken another step.

Jordan Henderson returns

Jordan Henderson got a warm enough reception as he headed out to get ready for the game, but once it began, there was a smattering of half-hearted boos directed his way from those in the home section. Returning with the not-particularly-well-liked Chelsea, it wouldn't have been a huge surprise.

When Rogers went down under a challenge from Ronald Araujo in the penalty area, Henderson led the Chelsea charge towards the referee, Darren England, and he was clearly up for this game. Seeing him in blue still takes some getting used to.

In another world, Henderson, Caicedo and Romeo Lavia could have been lining up for Liverpool, given the Reds' interest in the former Brighton and Southampton stars back in 2023.

Caicedo is the only one who got away given his level at Chelsea so far, and that he is a proper number six. Trey Nyoni and Ryan Gravenberch, though, more than held their own here.

Carabao Cup quality lacking

Liverpool does not have the most extensive roster of players to choose from. That much was clear in the summer, and it was evident here too.

Lewis Koumas playing on the right wing looked like a square peg in a round hole, while James McConnell, for some reason, is being used as a number 10 on a regular basis, even though he is clearly much better deeper.

It was the right call to rest the legs of Wirtz, Barcola and Alexander Isak, among others, but Iraola would have known that he was taking a chance. He did so after a very difficult draw, and it is worth noting that Chelsea hardly shone either. The game lacked quality and was largely a tough watch.

Liverpool into the next round

With Arsenal having been eliminated by Fleetwood and Iraola in need of getting some silverware under his belt as soon as possible at Anfield, it is a major boost for Liverpool to progress into the quarter-finals.

In each of its last four games, the Reds had earned a win. And Liverpool knows better than most just how important positive momentum can be in shaping a season.

Arsenal comes to Anfield next, this Sunday, with some chatter circulating about the potential for Liverpool to enter the Premier League title race. If it collects a sixth victory on the spin, that talk will become harder to quieten down.