Liverpool news: Iraola's Reds edge Chelsea on penalties to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals

A 1-1 draw at Anfield, then a shootout Liverpool won 6-5. Chelsea led in normal time through Morgan Rogers' penalty on 40 minutes, and Cody Gakpo answered with one of his own three minutes later. After that the night belonged to nerve.

Mamardashvili made saves in the shootout and Araujo, who had defended all evening, was named man of the match by more than one outlet. Fofana's effort sailed high into the Kop to end it, and Gomez stepped up to convert the kick that mattered.

Chelsea have now lost five penalty shootouts to Liverpool, and they looked resigned to it the moment the whistle went.

Seven changes from the Brighton win, and the blend worked. Nyoni, 19, started in midfield and was voted Liverpool's Player of the Match by supporters, with one journalist calling him a possible future for the club after a night of 65 completed passes. Ryan Gravenberch alongside him had a harder time of it.

Gomez spoke afterwards about the mentality in the group, and Iraola called it a very big effort. The players made straight for one man at the final whistle, and the Anfield DJ had the place smiling soon after. Ian Doyle's ratings gave Gomez an 8/10 and picked out one other hero of the night.

The quarter-final draw sent Bournemouth to Anfield, a reunion with the club Iraola left to take this job. Dates and ticket details are still to be confirmed, but the tie is a home one and that matters.

Away from the cup, UEFA have published their formal decisions from early October and the club have been handed a warning over an incident at the Atletico Madrid match. No fine, no stand closure, but a line on the record all the same.

On the pitch, Henderson's return in a Chelsea shirt turned hostile, and he was seen in a running argument with Van Dijk. Whatever the two of them said, it was not a warm reunion.

The ECHO's verdict from Anfield was blunt: Iraola is restoring what this team lost, and it could carry them to Wembley. Ex-players are already drawing the line between him and Arne Slot, and the difference they point to is a side that fights for each other in the scrappy games.

A Carabao Cup run is not the title, but it breeds the habit of winning knockout nights. The mood around the place is warmer than it has been in a while. Bournemouth at home is the next step, and Slot's old side would be forgiven for fancying it.

Araujo was man of the match against Chelsea, and the reporting around him has shifted from curiosity to conviction. Anfield Watch say a £47m deal for the defender is already in place for next summer, and that Liverpool would be happy to pay it. On this evidence it is hard to argue.

He defended the box calmly, took a penalty in the shootout and looked like a player who belongs at this level. Iraola has been credited with pushing the move, and nights like Wednesday explain why.