Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield as Chelsea manager ended in a dramatic Carabao Cup exit, with his side losing 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool. The match, held on Tuesday evening at Liverpool’s home ground, saw Alonso receive a warm reception from the Liverpool fans before kick-off, reflecting his celebrated history with the club, where he made over 200 appearances and played a pivotal role in the 2005 Champions League final victory.

Despite the encouraging start, Chelsea’s hopes were dashed during the penalty shootout. Wesley Fofana missed the deciding spot-kick, sending his shot over the crossbar, a miss that visibly affected Alonso. Additionally, Valentín Barco, Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, and Emmanuel Emegha also failed to convert their penalties, contributing to the high-pressure shootout drama.

Chelsea had briefly taken the lead late in the game through a penalty from Morgan Rogers, awarded following a challenge by Ryan Gravenberch. However, that advantage was short-lived as Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo converted a penalty three minutes later. The penalty was granted after Fofana handled the ball during a challenge with Virgil van Dijk, setting the stage for the shootout to decide the outcome.

The match highlighted the intense competition between the two Premier League sides and underscored the emotional weight of Alonso’s return to his former club’s stadium. Ultimately, Liverpool advanced in the Carabao Cup after a closely fought encounter that concluded with a tense penalty shootout.