Andoni Iraola moved a step closer to winning his first trophy as Liverpool manager with victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Reds needed a penalty shoot-out to see off their Premier League rivals, but set up an eye-popping quarter-final clash with Bournemouth in December.
It was far from a classic encounter on Merseyside, but what were the key moments that ensured the Reds’ victory?
How Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup QF
After a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, Liverpool boss Iraola has made seven changes for Chelsea’s visit to Anfield last night.
There was little to shout about during the first half hour of the contest, but it was quickly picking up steam just minutes before the break.
In the 38th minute, Ryan Gravenberch clattered past Moises Caicedo to give Morgan Rogers a chance to convert from 12 yards.
However, Cody Gakpo would follow up on the stroke of half-time after the home side were rewarded with a spot-kick of their own after Wesley Fofana controlled from a set piece.
After a second half that saw the Reds only have two shots on target, it will be penalties that decide who wins the encounter on Merseyside.
A string of two consecutive misses from Fofana and Emmanuel Emega was enough for the Reds who finally secured their place in the next round in a 6-5 shootout.
Liverpool had a poor performance against Chelsea last night
Despite Wednesday’s win at Anfield, there were plenty of first-team members who endured evenings to forget during their last Carabao Cup trip.
Academy graduate James McConnell was one of the youngsters given the chance to impress, but failed to take advantage of the chance he was given.
The 22-year-old only got on top of 40% of his tackles and was even booked for handball while stopping the Blues’ counter-attack.
However, he was certainly not alone in failing to perform at Anfield as compatriot Lewis Coumas endured a night to forget against Xabi Alonso’s men.
The Welshman managed just 12 touches of the ball during his 59-minute performance, which saw him fail to register a single shot on target.
Lewis Koumas – Chelsea statistics | |
|---|---|
Statistics | Tally |
Minutes played | 59 |
It touches | 12 |
Shots | 0 |
Antennas won | 0 |
The dribbles are complete | 0 |
Ground duels won | 1 |
Fouls were committed | 2 |
The final goes to the third | 1 |
His failure to win any aerial battles highlighted his struggles in the final third – something that will give Iraola food for thought ahead of their quarter-final clash with his former side.
Why drop Liverpool’s 3/10 dudu after Chelsea?
While it was an evening to give a number of squad players a chance to impress, it’s safe to say that their performances will give Iraola clarity on what is needed for Liverpool going forward.
Two of the academy boys, Koumas and McConnell, certainly looked below the level needed for the club to succeed for the rest of the 2026/27 campaign.
However, they certainly weren’t alone in failing to deliver the goods as senior Kostas Tsimikas also had an evening to forget in the win.
The Greece international started left-back Milos Kerkez, but it was certainly a decision that could have cost the Reds a place in the quarter-finals.
The 30-year-old has featured throughout the competition but has struggled massively to impress at either end of the pitch – leading to questions being asked over his long-term future at the club.
He was only able to complete 72% of his passes, resulting in him giving the ball away 23 times – an average of every four minutes during his Anfield display.
Tsimikas was also only able to complete 25% of the 12 crosses he put into the Chelsea box, his delivery often falling far short of the level expected of the experienced star.
Without the ball, he was ineffective as evidenced by his inability to go it alone, while also finishing second best at 100% in the ground and aerial duels he contested.
He had a chance to redeem himself in the shootout, but his penalty deflected off Mike Penders’ crossbar to put the hosts back in the contest.
After such a display, the defender was given a paltry 3/10 match rating, with Iraola in desperate need of a one-time regular starter out of the senior ranks.
Last night’s display was further proof that he is not at the level needed to succeed, and Kerkez should be restored to the starting XI against Arsenal on Sunday.