Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea (6 - 5 pens): Full-time player ratings as the Reds march into the quarters
Liverpool are through to the next round of the Carabao Cup, beating Xabi Alonso's Chelsea on penalties after the two sides were unable to be separated in normal time.
A penalty from Morgan Rogers in the 40th minute put the Reds behind after a clumsy challenge from Ryan Gravenberch on Moises Caicedo gave Chelsea the chance to put themselves in front, which they did.
Three minutes later, a handball from Wesley Fofana in the box gave the Reds a penalty, which Cody Gakpo dispatched with aplomb in front of the Kop.
The second-half was end-to-end, but lacked the quality in the final third from both sides to avoid a dreaded penalty shootout.
Joe Gomez and Giorgi Mamardashvili were the heroes of the night, with Gomez scoring a wonderful penalty, and the Georgian saving Emmanuel Emegha's penalty before Fofana skied his penalty to send the Reds through.
Penalty takers:
Liverpool - Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Kostas Tsimikas (skied), Bradley Barcola, Ryan Gravenberch (saved), Joe Gomez
Chelsea - Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco (miss), Jordan Henderson, Emmanuel Emegha (saved), Fofana (skied)
Here are our player ratings following the nail-biting Anfield affair:
Giorgi Mamardashvili - 6.9
Sent the wrong way by Morgan Rogers, but distributed the ball well and made some good saves. Big, strong hand to deny Palestra in the 78th minute. Saved Emegha's penalty which gave the Reds the chance to go into the quarters.
Joe Gomez - 6.6
Nothing much to note, Gomez was as solid as usual and wasn't troubled much by Gusto or Rogers. Scored his penalty with perfect placement.
Ronald Araujo - 6.5
Battled well and slotted next to van Dijk seamlessly. Should have scored but his header was straight at Penders.
Virgil van Dijk - 6.7
The skipper had another flawless game, constantly winning his battles and proving game by game that he needs to be offered a new contract. Came off for Jacquet.
Kostas Tsimikas - 5.8
After some brilliant work from Ngumoha he had an opportunity to put in a dangerous cross but wasn't able to find anyone in red. Made a few errors in possession. Missed his penalty by some distance.
Ryan Gravenberch - 5.5
Gave away a penalty after a clumsy attempt to win the ball and offered little in possession, making poor decisions. Nyoni is coming for his place if he's not careful. Saw his penalty saved.
Trey Nyoni - 6.8
Fearless, always available to get on the ball and constantly making the right decisions. Might be time for some (un)comfortable situations regarding the starting midfield. Came off for Mac Allister.
Lewis Koumas - 6.2
Harshly booked in the 10th minute for a nothing challenge following an intense pressing moment. Not much else to note, and came off for Barcola.
James McConnell - 6.2
Like Koumas, a constant hard-worker but a heavy touch led to a booking after a blatant handball. Wasn't very effective but did a job. Came off for Wirtz.
Rio Ngumoha - 6.7
A constant threat down the left, and is so good at disguising his actions, keeping everyone on their toes. Gave Acheampong plenty of issues. Replaced by Isak.
Cody Gakpo - 6.5
Scored the penalty to equalise for the Reds not long after going one goal down. Had a few poor touches and passes, sloppy at times in possession. Scored in the shootout too.
Substitutes
Florian Wirtz - 6.4 (58')
Came on but was unable to impact the game much. Had a big chance in the 80th minute to give the Reds the lead but Colwill blocked it. Scored his pen and sent Penders the wrong way.
Bradley Barcola - 6.5 (58')
Came on and gave Gusto nightmares, and later forced Penders into a good save with a well-placed shot. Had a good battle with Palestra. Scored his penalty.
Jeremy Jacquet - 6.3 (72')
Solid next to Araujo, and continues to impress since joining from Rennes.
Alexis Mac Allister - 6.4 (82')
Had a few heavy touches and poor passes, couldn't really get into the flow of the game. Brought on to score a pen, and did.
Alexander Isak - 6.4 (82')
Similar to Mac Allister, and did his job by scoring his penalty.
