Liverpool edge Chelsea on penalties as Man City survive Brighton scare

Liverpool booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after defeating Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Anfield on Wednesday, while defending champions Manchester City also needed spot-kicks to overcome Brighton and Hove Albion.

Chelsea and Liverpool played out a 1-1 draw during normal time before the hosts prevailed 6-5 in the shoot-out. At the Etihad Stadium, City recovered twice to draw 2-2 with Brighton before goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli emerged as the hero in another tense penalty decider.

How did Liverpool overcome Chelsea in a dramatic shoot-out?

Liverpool secured their place in the last eight after a nerve-racking contest in which both sides had opportunities to settle the tie before penalties.

Chelsea took the lead seven minutes before the interval when Morgan Rogers converted from the spot. The penalty was awarded after Ryan Gravenberch brought down Moises Caicedo inside the area following a clever pass from Malo Gusto.

However, Liverpool responded almost immediately. Cody Gakpo equalised three minutes later after Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana was penalised for handball, sending the contest into the break level at 1-1.

Neither side could find a winner in the second half, despite several promising opportunities. Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders produced important saves to deny Liverpool, while Giorgi Mamardashvili kept the visitors at bay by stopping Marco Palestra's effort late in the game.

Liverpool also survived a dangerous spell when Levi Colwill and Josh Acheampong produced crucial blocks to prevent the hosts from scoring at close range.

The match consequently went to penalties, where the drama continued. Both teams converted their opening attempts before Chelsea's Valentin Barco struck the inside of the post. Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas then missed the opportunity to win the contest, sending his effort over the crossbar.

Penders subsequently saved Ryan Gravenberch's penalty, while Mamardashvili responded by denying Chelsea debutant Emmanuel Emegha. After Joe Gomez converted for Liverpool, Fofana sent his decisive attempt over the bar, confirming a 6-5 shoot-out victory for the home side.

The result also extended former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso's difficult record at Anfield as a manager, marking his third defeat in three visits after previous losses with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and Real Madrid in 2025.

How did Manchester City survive Brighton's challenge?

Manchester City also endured a difficult evening, eventually defeating Brighton on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

City manager Enzo Maresca made nine changes following his side's defeat against Aston Villa, which ended their perfect start to the Premier League campaign. Several key players, including Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma, were rested.

Brighton took the lead after 30 minutes when Malick Yalcouye turned Georginio Rutter's effort past goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli from close range.

City responded shortly after half-time, with Mateo Kovacic producing an excellent finish from approximately 25 yards to level the score.

Brighton regained the advantage two minutes after the restart when Rutter converted Jaouen Hadjam's cut-back. The visitors appeared poised to cause an upset before City found another equaliser in the 72nd minute, when Vitor Reis deflected Rayan Cherki's free-kick into the net.

The sides remained level at full-time, forcing another penalty shoot-out. Kovacic had his attempt saved by Jason Steele, leaving City under pressure, but Rulli stepped up with two crucial saves against Yasin Ayari and Lewis Dunk to secure the holders' progression into the quarter-finals.

City and Brighton will meet again at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, this time in the Premier League.