English League Cup – Liverpool advance to the quarterfinals with a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over Chelsea.

In another key match of the fourth round of the 2026/27 English League Cup, Liverpool, playing at Anfield, came from behind to equalize through a goal from Gakopo, and then defeated Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to advance to the quarterfinals.

Ten minutes into the match, Chelsea launched an attack, and Lacroix was brought down by Liverpool striker Lewis Koumas while in possession of the ball. The referee showed Koumas a yellow card for the foul. In the 20th minute, McConnell committed a handball foul while attempting to clear the ball, and was therefore shown a yellow card by the referee.

In the 22nd minute, Chelsea took a free kick, and Caicedo received the ball outside the penalty area before unleashing a long-range shot that went wide. In the 31st minute, Liverpool attempted a counter-attack, with Araujo heading the ball towards goal, but his effort was blocked by an opposing player.

In the 40th minute, Pedro Neto delivered a diagonal pass, and Caicedo was brought down by Hrafinberg as he received the pass, resulting in a penalty for Chelsea. Morgan Rodgers then converted the penalty, giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead.

In the 42nd minute, Tsimikas took a corner kick, and when Van Dijk attempted a header, Wesley Fofana's hand came into contact with the ball, resulting in a penalty for Liverpool. Gakopo then converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1 for Liverpool.

In the 44th minute, Liverpool attacked again. Gakopo received the ball and fired a long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area, but it was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders. In first-half stoppage time, Lacroix suffered an injury and was subsequently substituted by Colwell.

In the 48th minute of the second half, Morgan Rodgers received a through pass from his teammate in the penalty area and turned to shoot, but his shot was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Mamadashvili. In the 50th minute, Tsimikas made a diagonal pass, and Ngumoha was tripped by Achampong after receiving the ball. The referee therefore showed Achampong a yellow card.

In the 53rd minute, Caicedo passed the ball to Pedro Neto, who followed up with a long-range shot, but Liverpool goalkeeper Mamadashvili made the save. In the 61st minute, Gomez chipped the ball into the penalty area, and Araujo's header was blocked by Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders.

In the 67th minute, Chelsea won a free kick. Morgan Rodgers took the free kick and shot directly, but the ball went over the goal. In the 78th minute, Morgan Rodgers passed the ball diagonally from the penalty area, and Palestella took a powerful shot, but it was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Mamadashvili.

In the 80th minute, Gakopo headed the ball across, but Wirtz's close-range shot was cleared. Since the score remained tied after regulation time, the match went to penalties.

In the first round, both McAllister and Pedro Neto scored from their penalties. In the second round, Isak and Morgan Rodgers both found the net. In the third round, Gakopo and Lavia also scored. In the fourth round, Wirtz scored a penalty, while Barentin Barco's penalty hit the post.

In the fifth round, Tsimikas missed his penalty, while Henderson scored. In the sixth round, Barkola and Colwell both scored. In the seventh round, Hrafinbech's penalty was saved by Mike Penders, and Emega's penalty was also blocked by Mamadashvili.

In the 8th round, Gomez scored a penalty, while Wesley Fofana kicked the ball high.

Liverpool ultimately defeated Chelsea 6-5 at home, advancing to the quarterfinals.

Image source: Internet