Ian Doyle with the main talking points from Liverpool's Carabao Cup clash against Chelsea on Wednesday evening

Being a specialist Carabao Cup goalkeeper in undoubtedly not how Giorgi Mamardashvili would have expected to be spending the first part of his second season at Liverpool. But the Georgia international is clearly intent on making the most of his rare opportunities.

After an impressive showing against Tottenham Hotspur in the previous round, here Mamardashvili went one better with a decisive contribution during both the game and the subsequent shoot-out.

Liverpool may not even have taken the encounter that far but for an excellent save from the 26-year-old in the second half, smartly dropping low to his right to ensure a drive from Chelsea substitute Marco Palestra didn’t sneak home inside the near post.

And they were reliant on Mamardashvili again when Chelsea had the chance to win the shoot-out in sudden death through Emmanuel Emegha, the keeper - who arrived at Anfield with a reputation for saving penalties - repelling the effort from the debutant substitute.

When Wesley Fofana ballooned his effort to hand his side the win, the Reds squad raced to engulf Mamardashvili in front of a bouncing Kop, led by a relieved Kostas Tsimikas, who was well off target with his penalty.

Now Mamardashvili will have another fixture to look forward to in December. On this evidence, it is very much merited.

Gakpo and Gravenberch struggle

Now for a bit of life advice: find yourself someone who loves you as much as Cody Gakpo loves the League Cup.

The Dutchman’s well-taken penalty that dragged Liverpool level here shortly after going behind was his 11th goal in 14 appearances in the competition.

Gakpo later converted his spot kick in the dramatic shoot-out, but would be the first to admit this wasn’t his best evening as, playing down the centre of the attack, he was involved in far too many nearly things. The harder he tried, the more frustrated the forward became.

But he wasn’t alone in struggling, with compatriot Ryan Gravenberch once again highlighting why he continues to experience a below-par campaign by his own standards.

Gravenberch was already suffering when his rash challenge on Moises Caicedo gifted Morgan Rogers the chance to put Chelsea ahead from 12 yards.

And there was a sense of inevitability when the midfielder put his effort in the shoot-out far too close to visiting goalkeeper Mike Penders, who made a straightforward save.

The constant churn of games and injuries mean Gravenberch will continue to be an important player for Andoni Iraola. But Liverpool need the Dutchman back in his groove as soon as possible.

Henderson targeted

It was third time unlucky for Xabi Alonso as he once against suffered at his old stomping ground after defeats when in charge of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid in the last two seasons.

But the Spaniard prowling the touchline as Chelsea boss wasn’t even close to being the strangest sight here.

That belonged to Jordan Henderson, operating in a number 10 role for the visitors and having his every touch jeered by a significant section of the Kop, no doubt bewildered why the one-time hugely successful Liverpool captain has ended up with the Londoners, his fourth different club since leaving Anfield just over three years ago.

The Reds’ victory - which means they have now lost to Chelsea only twice in their last 14 meetings in league and cup - has set up another reunion, with Iraola’s former club Bournemouth visiting for their quarter-final in mid-December.

And with a fifth successive triumph in all competitions, the last three of which have been at home, it’s clear something is stirring under Iraola. Arsenal will provide the ultimate test on Sunday.