Things are only getting better for Andoni Iraola.

However, it’s proving to be a tougher challenge for Xabi Alonso and Chelsea.

Wielding silverware will significantly bolster Iraola’s case to the Anfield faithful that he has a viable plan in mind.

With Liverpool winning a penalty shootout against Chelsea for the FIFTH consecutive time, Alonso’s realistic aspirations for a trophy now hinge on the FA Cup.

A match that sparked to life with two penalties in three minutes before the break ultimately concluded with a flurry of spot kicks after 90 minutes.

Morgan Rogers had barely commenced his celebrations for scoring before Wesley Fofana’s wild handball allowed Cody Gakpo to equalize, leaving Mike Penders with no chance.

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With neither team managing to secure a win in a second half that was only slightly more entertaining than the dull first, it came down to a collective test of nerves.

Both sides faltered. Konstantinos Tsimikas squandered a chance to clinch victory after Valentin Barco hit the post, while Penders’ save from Ryan Gravenberch was for naught as debutant Emmanuel Emegha failed to convert.

When Joe Gomez scored, it was a nightmare evening for Fofana as his attempt went soaring into the Kop.

Alonso, who was not the only former Liverpool player returning to Anfield in Chelsea’s lineup, suffered in vain.

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Indeed, unlike his manager, Jordan Henderson lifted the Premier League trophy during his time at Liverpool.

This evening, however, playing in a midfield trio with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, he was matched against Trey Nyoni – who was still in diapers when Henderson began his professional career 18 years ago.

Chelsea adjusted to a back four, employing Malo Gusto on the left to contain Cody Gakpo.

Unfortunately for the Frenchman, Liverpool – boasting nearly £400m worth of talent on the bench, featuring Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and Bradley Barcola huddled against the cold – were equally careless.

The only task for referee Darren England appeared to be issuing yellow cards to two of Liverpool’s youngsters, Lewis Koumas for a late tackle on Maxence Lacroix and James McConnell for what looked like a deliberate knock-on at Twickenham.

There were brief flashes of brilliance, such as Virgil van Dijk – making a rare early-round start in the tournament – showcasing his pace to thwart Danny Welbeck, while center-back partner Ronald Araujo eased Rogers off the ball.

Rio Ngumoha was a bright spot for Liverpool on the left, but overall it proved quite underwhelming.

Half-time seemed set to arrive without even a noteworthy shot until Gravenberch gifted Chelsea the lead.

When Gusto passed to Caicedo, the Dutchman posed no threat as he was moving away from goal.

Yet Gravenberch’s rash slide tackled sent Caicedo tumbling, leaving referee England with no choice but to award a penalty.

After some antics – Henderson enjoying his role as pantomime villain as he cruised 50 yards before passing the responsibility – Rogers coolly converted the penalty past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

However, just three minutes later, Fofana’s handball inadvertently provided Liverpool a way back into the match.

Fofana was one of THREE Chelsea players marking van Dijk during Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner kick, and any of them could have dealt with the situation.

Instead, in a moment of madness, Fofana raised his right hand above his head to punch the ball away.

The only outcome was a penalty, and Gakpo replicated Rogers’ accuracy from the spot.

It marked Gakpo’s 11th goal in the Carabao Cup across his four seasons in England and his seventh in as many Anfield games in the tournament.

As Lacroix subsequently injured himself, Gakpo managed to draw the first real save of the match from Mike Penders before the break, firmly swinging the momentum towards Liverpool.

Alas, had Rogers not mishandled a golden opportunity when Henderson nodded him clear at the start of the second half, things might have turned out differently.

A moment later, a shot from Rogers, parried by Mamardashvili, would have certainly been disallowed after the ball struck his right forearm.

In came Liverpool’s star players, Wirtz and Barcola, bringing an immediate shift in energy.

Penders stood resolute, saving a shot as Araujo broke through the defense, and then reacted quickly to deny Barcola’s deflected effort.

Two strong saves from a goalkeeper under scrutiny, as Alonso introduced Emanuel Emegha, who quickly made his presence known by barging into Van Dijk.

Mamardashvili matched Penders’ efforts, diving low to his right to deny substitute Marco Palestra.

Colwill managed to block Wirtz in front of goal, and the defending held strong all the way through. Liverpool retained the upper hand.