Liverpool vs Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last 16 has been handed a much-needed boost of excitement after both sides traded penalty goals before the half-time break.
The first half of the cup tie, which saw both teams ring the changes, was severely lacking in quality up to that point, with the two sides mustering just one shot on target between them.
Rogers opens scoring
The Blues had been particularly poor in the first period but were gifted the opportunity to go ahead in the 38th minute when Ryan Gravenberch slid in carelessly to foul Moises Caicedo inside the box.
Manager Andoni Iraola will have been less than impressed with the Dutch midfielder, who looked nowhere near the ball.
Up stepped Premier League record signing Rogers, who opened his body and fired the ball into the top-right corner with emphatic precision.
Gakpo levels
But Chelsea were not celebrating for too long and it was their turn to give away an avoidable penalty after a shot in the aftermath of a corner brushed the fingertips of Wesley Fofana.
The Blues looked shaky as the corner came in, with the spotkick rightly awarded for the infringement after a good spot by the referee.
Cody Gakpo was the man to step up for the hosts, and he also gave the goalkeeper no chance by drilling his penalty into the bottom-left corner.
Where to Watch Liverpool v Chelsea: TV and online streams
Liverpool versus Chelsea kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday, October 28 at Anfield.
The match is live on Sky Sports and ITV1 in the UK, with streaming also available on ITVX and the Sky Go app.
Supporters overseas should check their local EFL Cup TV rights holders.
Recent Form & Stats for Liverpool v Chelsea
- The clubs are meeting for the 202nd time in all competitions, with Liverpool winning 87 and losing 67.
- The last two encounters in the EFL Cup were in the finals of 2022 and 2024.
- Of their last 12 ties played in this competition, Liverpool are facing opposition from London for the eighth time.
- Liverpool’s last three Anfield defeats in the League Cup have all been inflicted by London teams – Chelsea (2018-19), Arsenal on penalties (2020-21) and Crystal Palace (2025-26).
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS
Only Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo retain their places from the XI that started against Brighton.
Youngsters James McConnell, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha and Lewis Koumas all come in.
Liverpool are still without Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Araujo, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; McConnell, Gravenberch, Nyoni; Gakpo, Ngumoha, Koumas
Liverpool substitutes: Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Wirtz, Isak, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Barcol, Chambers
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Alonso makes four changes to the side that faced Spurs with Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Romeo Lavia and Danny Welbeck coming in. Levi Colwill, Jorrel Hato, Geovany Quenda drop out while Cole Palmer is suspended.
João Pedro is out for a “few weeks” with a knee injury while goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is still absent, so Mike Penders keeps his place in goal despite his error on Saturday.
Chelsea: Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Lacroix; Gusto, Neto, Caicedo, Lavia, Henderson; Rogers, Welbeck
Chelsea substitutes: Sharman-Lowe, Colwill, Subuloye, Palestra, Barco, Nicoll-Jazuli, Estevao, Quenda, Emegha
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