Iraola to Face Former Club Bournemouth in Carabao Cup Quarterfinals

Liverpool secured a spot in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals by beating Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Liverpool advanced to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday after defeating Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The match remained tied at the break after both sides traded successful penalty kicks before halftime. Despite several second-half substitutions by Andoni Iraola, the hosts were unable to find a winning goal before the shootout decided the result.

The Reds are scheduled to host Bournemouth at Anfield in December for the next round. Iraola, who joined Liverpool from the Cherries, stated in a postmatch news conference that Bournemouth was the only side he hoped to avoid in the draw. He noted that his former team is currently in a "good moment" and has improved since his departure to Merseyside.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso, who fielded a near-full-strength lineup, suffered his third consecutive defeat at Anfield. Alonso previously lost at the stadium while managing Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid without his teams recording a goal. Following the exit, Alonso indicated the club's focus shifts to a Premier League fixture against Manchester United this Saturday.

Liverpool's path to the final eight has included victories over Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. The club reached the final of this competition during the 2024-25 season, where they were defeated 2-1 by Newcastle United.