Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola secured a win over Chelsea counterpart Xabi Alonso in the League Cup last-16 tie at Anfield. The match ended 1-1 in normal time, with Chelsea's Morgan Rogers scoring a penalty, and Cody Gakpo equalizing for Liverpool. The Reds ultimately won the tie in a penalty shoot-out. This victory marks Iraola's progression in the competition, having previously reached the League Cup final in his debut campaign.
Alonso's Chelsea side made four changes from their previous match against Tottenham, while Iraola made seven changes from Liverpool's win against Brighton. Rogers put Chelsea in front with a 40th-minute penalty after a foul on Moises Caicedo. However, Liverpool leveled the score three minutes later with a penalty of their own, as Gakpo converted from the spot following a handball by Chelsea's Wesley Fofana.
The match went to a penalty shoot-out, with Chelsea's Valentin Barco hitting the post and Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas wasting a chance to win it when he blazed over. Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Emmanuel Emegha's kick to keep Liverpool alive, and Joe Gomez scored for the hosts. Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana then miscued into the Kop as Liverpool advanced. This was Alonso's third defeat in his three visits to Anfield as a manager.
In another match, holders Manchester City survived a scare against Brighton, drawing 2-2 before winning on penalties. City boss Enzo Maresca made nine changes after their loss at Aston Villa, which ended their 100 percent start to the Premier League campaign. Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, and Gianluigi Donnarumma were among the City stars rested. Brighton took the lead through Malick Yalcouye, but Mateo Kovacic equalized for City with a fine finish.
Brighton restored their lead two minutes after half-time through Georginio Rutter, but Vitor Reis deflected in Rayan Cherki's free-kick to equalize for City. In the shoot-out, Kovacic's penalty was saved by Jason Steele, but City's Geronimo Rulli denied Brighton's Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to send City into the last eight. The sides meet again in the Premier League at the Etihad on Saturday.
Bournemouth extended their impressive run with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at the Vitality Stadium. The Cherries have now won five successive matches in all competitions, with goals from Amine Adli, Lewis Cook, and Alvaro Rodriguez securing the victory. This follows their 3-0 win at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday and their Europa League win against AC Milan.
Crystal Palace also progressed in the competition, easing past pressure with a convincing win. The results mean Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bournemouth have all advanced to the League Cup quarter-finals, with the draw set to be made in the coming days. The competition is heating up, with several top teams still in contention for the title.
Key points
- Liverpool beat Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
- Manchester City survived a scare against Brighton, winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
- Bournemouth extended their impressive run with a 3-0 win against Aston Villa.
