Liverpool v Chelsea in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup was given some much-needed excitement after both sides swapped penalty goals before half-time.
The first half of the cup, which saw changes from both teams, was severely lacking in quality up to that point, with both sides managing just one shot on target between them.
Rogers opens the scoring
The Blues were particularly poor in the first half but had an opportunity to go ahead in the 38th minute when Ryan Gravenburch slipped recklessly to challenge Moises Caicedo.
Manager Andoni Iraola will be less impressed with the Dutch midfielder who is not close to the ball.
Rogers, who signed the Premier League record, opened his body and hit the ball accurately into the top right corner.
Gakpo levels
But Chelsea didn’t celebrate for too long and it was their turn to concede an avoidable penalty after Wesley Fofana’s fingertips from a corner.
The Blues looked shaky as a corner was awarded rightfully for a foul after a good point by the referee.
Cody Gakpo was the man to go forward for the home side and he gave the keeper no chance as he slotted the penalty into the bottom left corner.
Where to watch Liverpool v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Liverpool v Chelsea kicks off at 20:00 GMT at Anfield on Wednesday 28 October.
The match is broadcast live on Sky Sports and ITV1 in the UK, with streaming also available on ITVX and Sky Go.
Overseas supporters should check with their local EFL Cup TV rights holders.
Latest form and statistics for Liverpool v Chelsea
- The clubs have met for the 202nd time in all competitions, Liverpool with 87 wins and 67 losses.
- The last two EFL Cup meetings were in the 2022 and 2024 finals.
- Out of the last 12 matches played in this competition, “Liverpool” is facing the opponent of London for the eighth time.
- Liverpool’s last three League Cup defeats at Anfield have all come against London sides Chelsea (2018-19), Arsenal (2020-21) and Crystal Palace (2025-26) on penalties.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Of the starting XI against Brighton, only Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo retain their places.
Youngsters James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas are all coming.
Liverpool are still without Conor Bradley, Jeremy Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Araujo, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; McConnell, Gravenberch, Nyoni; Gakpo, Ngumoha, Komas
Liverpool substitutes: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Barcol, Chambers
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Alonso makes four changes to the side facing Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia and Danny Welbeck. Levi Colville, Jorrell Hato, Geovani Guenda are out while Cole Palmer is suspended.
With goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez still out, João Pedro will be out for “a couple of weeks” with a knee injury, so Mike Penders keeps his place in goal despite his mistake on Saturday.
Chelsea: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix; Gusto, Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Henderson; Rodgers, Welbeck
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Colville, Subuloye, Palestra, Barko, Nicol-Jazuli, Estevao, Guenda, Emega