Liverpool progressed to the Carabao Cup final after prevailing 6-5 in a penalty shootout against Chelsea on a chilly evening at Anfield.
The match finished 1-1 in regular time, with Chelsea's £117m summer acquisition Morgan Rogers converting a penalty in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch's challenge on Moises Caicedo. Three minutes later, a handball by Wesley Fofana allowed Liverpool to equalise when Cody Gakpo calmly scored from 12 yards, sending Mike Penders the wrong way.
Penders, who had been blamed for Chelsea's loss to Spurs the previous weekend, made two crucial saves in the 62nd and 65th minutes, turning away Ronald Araujo's diving header and Bradley Barcola's low drive. Giorgi Mamardashvili also produced a fine save in the 78th minute to keep the scores level.
With no further clear chances, the tie moved directly to penalties. Alexic Mac Allister opened the shootout for Liverpool, followed by Pedro Neto's equaliser. Alexander Isak then restored Liverpool's advantage, mirroring Mac Allister's strike. Morgan Rogers equalised for Chelsea, while Gakpo and Romeo Lavia each scored their attempts.
Florian Wirtz sent Penders the wrong way, and Valentin Barco missed his spot after a stutter step, crashing the ball against Mamardashvili's right-hand post. Kostas Tsimikas then sent his penalty over the crossbar, but Jordan Henderson answered the boos by scoring for Liverpool.
Barcola responded for Chelsea, slotting his penalty into the top right corner, and Levi Colwill's powerful finish levelled the shootout again. Ryan Gravenberch, who had caused Chelsea's earlier penalty, missed his spot, saved by Penders, while Mamardashvili denied Emmanuel Emegha's effort.
Joe Gomez's powerful strike gave Liverpool the lead, increasing pressure on Fofana, who then skied his penalty over the bar, sealing Liverpool's win.
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