Liverpool edge past Chelsea on penalties to reach Carabao Cup last eight

Liverpool reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday night after beating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Anfield, with Wesley Fofana missing the decisive spot kick.

The shootout victory sends Andoni Iraola's side into a last-eight tie against Bournemouth, the club he managed before taking charge at Anfield, according to Sky Sports Football.

Iraola made seven changes to his starting line-up while Xabi Alonso's Chelsea made four, yet Liverpool matched their visitors for long periods, managing 10 shots to Chelsea's 11 and an expected goals tally of 2.1 against 1.82, figures cited by Yahoo Sports.

Journalist David Lynch, writing for Yahoo Sports, said the performance underlined how thoroughly Iraola's squad has taken to his methods despite the heavy rotation, pointing to the pressing, defensive shape and attacking link-up play on show.

Lynch noted Liverpool have now won nine of their last 11 matches under Iraola, and argued that reaching Wembley remains a realistic incentive even if the League Cup sits below Liverpool's other priorities this season.

Joe Gomez was singled out by Lynch as one of the night's standout performers, contributing to a display he felt carried the hallmarks of a captain's contribution.

For Chelsea, the defeat was overshadowed by the continued absence of Estevao Willian from Alonso's matchday plans, with the Brazilian left an unused substitute while Anfield supporters chanted his name during the game.

Speaking afterwards, Alonso said he understood the player's frustration, telling reporters: "I understand his situation and that he could be happier for sure."

The Chelsea head coach added that game time would come for the forward in due course, saying: "I'm sure that Este will have his moment. It's my responsibility and we need to deal with that."

Pundits were less forgiving of the decision. Former striker Clinton Morrison, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said he could not understand why Estevao had been left out given Chelsea's missing attacking options, according to Metro Football.

Jobi McAnuff went further, suggesting Alonso would need to explain his thinking soon given the player's ability to unsettle defenders when introduced from the bench.

Liverpool's focus now turns to the quarter-final against Bournemouth, a fixture that carries extra significance given Iraola's history at the south-coast club before his move to Anfield.