Matchday LIVE: Liverpool take down Leicester in shootout to joins Spurs and Chelsea in Carabao Cup semis

What a day of football today was!Goals galore, drama, chaos. Today had it all, and we now have some tasty Carabao Cup semi-finals to look forward to!But that's all for tonight, and we'll catch you again soon as the holiday period is just getting going!

That's all, folks!

"It's good for Tottenham to reach the semi-finals of this competition," Conte told Sky Sports. "You can see the names of these teams that have reached the semi-finals - Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal with us - so every side wants to try to lift this trophy."When I was at Chelsea this trophy was not second, but we used to play young players that did not start in the 11. Now I'm seeing in England to win a trophy is very difficult. We have had to beat an important team like West Ham and they eliminated [Manchester] United and [Manchester] City. In England it's very difficult to win something."

Conte: Winning a trophy is very difficult

"He’s in that state of mind as a person, a character and a sportsman where he just delivers," Tuchel said about the Spanish goalkeeper, who will be vital with Mendy heading to the AFCON."This is what he shows every day in training and that’s why he gets the rewards and has these kinds of performances."

Tuchel full of praise for Kepa

All over in Spain as Real Madrid have held on to a 2-1 win over Athletic.Both Real Madrid goals were from Benzema, of course, as the league leaders continue to fly.

Real Madrid hold on against Athletic Bilbao

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Absolutely gutted to lose that tonight &amp; be out of the cup! We will keep pushing and giving everything⚒️ <a href="https://twitter.com/WestHam?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WestHam</a>— Declan Rice (@_DeclanRice) <a href="https://twitter.com/_DeclanRice/status/1473778352016306182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Rice weighs in on West Ham elimination

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Carabao Cup Semi-Final draw: Arsenal vs Liverpool Chelsea vs Tottenham 🍿 <a href="https://t.co/jICWJingtE">pic.twitter.com/jICWJingtE</a>— GOAL News (@GoalNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoalNews/status/1473777979646001159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Carabao Cup semi-final draw looks TASTY

"It means a lot, it was a big game, a derby. It's a competition we can win so let's fight for this," Tottenham goalscorer Lucas Moura told Sky Sports."Last season we had the chance to get this trophy but in the final we didn't play very well but now is another opportunity, another season, another manager, another squad and I think we're better now."A trophy is my objective, I think we deserve it but we need to show it on the pitch."

Lucas Moura: Spurs deserve a trophy

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sergio Ramos sees red for PSG 🟥 He's still waiting for his first Ligue 1 clean sheet too... <a href="https://t.co/Zy5c3jcRGY">pic.twitter.com/Zy5c3jcRGY</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1473774126456352768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Another tough day for Ramos

Lost in the shuffle amid Liverpool's triumph, PSG equalized late to earn a draw with Lorient.Mauro Icardi's late goal was just enough for PSG to earn a point, despite being down to 10 men.Real Madrid, meanwhile, remain up 2-1 against Athletic Bilbao.

Meanwhile in Europe...

Jota buries from the spot, sending Liverpool to the semi-final round.They win 5-4 with Jota and Kelleher the heroes as Leicester squander a two-goal lead to suffer elimination.What. A. Game.

LIVERPOOL WIN!

Liverpool will get another chance to win it as Kelleher stops Bertrand. It's up to Jota...

KELLEHER SAVES AGAIN! (4-4)

Minamino smashes his shot off the crossbar and over as Leicester stay alive.Game on.

MINAMINO MISSES (4-4)

Iheanacho does his part, but now Schmeichel will need to stop Minamino to keep Leicester alive.

GOAL LEICESTER (4-4)

Keita converts, making it 4-3 to Liverpool.If Iheanacho doesn't score, this one is over.

GOAL LIVEROOL (3-4)

Advantage Liverpool!Kelleher guesses right and dives to save a shot from Thomas, giving Liverpool a huge advantage.Leicester blink first, but can Liverpool take advantage?

SAVE KELLEHER! (3-3)

Make it six for six, as Oxlade-Chamberlain buries from the spot as well.

GOAL LIVERPOOL! (3-3)

Albrighton goes for power, smashing it past Kelleher to make it 3-2 to Leicester. Everyone perfect so far...

GOAL LEICESTER (3-2)

Great penalty from Firmino to make it 2-2, even as Schmeichel complains about the Brazilian's run up.

GOAL LIVERPOOL (2-2)

Maddison converts, making it 2-1. Firmino walking up for Liverpool...

GOAL LEICESTER (2-1)

No mistake from Milner, who leaves Schmeichel rooted to his line as he makes it 1-1

GOAL LIVERPOOL! (1-1)

Tielemans is up first and he buries it into the top corner.

GOAL LEICESTER!

Just about set to get going in front of Leicester's travelling support. Here we go!

Penalties about to start at Anfield

Sergio Ramos has been sent off in the 85th minute with PSG down a goal to Lorient.Two yellow cards in quick succession for the Spanish star and he's off with his first dismissal since moving to Paris this summer.

Ramos sent off for PSG!

The final whistle has blown across England, but we're not done yet...Spurs and Chelsea are through, having won 2-1 and 2-0 respectively, but Liverpool and Leicester will need to survive penalties to join them in the semi-final round of the Carabao Cup.

Final whistle

MINAMINO!Liverpool have come from 2-0 and 3-1 down, levelling the score at 3-3.Minamino with the goal in stoppage time and Anfield is going crazy as penalties seemingly loom...

LIVERPOOL HAVE TIED IT!

It's all finished in Italy, as one of the contenders took care of business while the other did not. AC Milan battered Empoli 4-0 to go second in Serie A, while Napoli fell to Spezia to remain seven points behind league-leaders Inter.

All finished in Italy

It remains 1-0 in France as PSG are in danger of losing to Lorient without Neymar or Mbappe.Is today the day we see some Messi magic?

PSG losing late...

Pulisic draws a penalty for Chelsea, and there's little doubt on the finish with Jorginho at the spot.The Italy star buries it, making the score 2-0 and all but sealing the win for Chelsea.

Chelsea make it 2-0!

Chelsea are in the lead, even if it wasn't too pretty.An own goal makes it 1-0, with Pontus Jansson&nbsp;slicing a Reece James cross into the back of his own net.That puts Chelsea ahead with just 10 minute remaining

GOAL CHELSEA!

Liverpool are right back in it, and it has been coming to their credit.Minamino plays through Jota, who rips a shot past Schmeichel and into the back of the net for his seventh goal in eight matches.The goal brings the scoreline to 3-2 as the Reds now have 22 minutes or so to find an equalizer.Anfield is rocking, but can they find a third?

GOAL JOTA!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Karim Benzema bags a three minute brace 🤯 𝐀 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐄 🤖 <a href="https://t.co/UzNob7OeUv">pic.twitter.com/UzNob7OeUv</a>— GOAL (@goal) <a href="https://twitter.com/goal/status/1473756334839447562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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How good is Benzema?

The three games in England are back for the start of the second half.

Carabao Cup matches back underway

It's all kicking off in Madrid, as Karim Benzema has a brace within seven minutes.The 2-0 lead didn't last long, though, as hosts Athletic Bilbao have battled back into the game with a goal of their own from Oihan Sancet.Seems the goals have carried right on over to Spain, huh?

What a start in Madrid!

A tough start for PSG, who find themselves 1-0 at the half against Lorient.Thomas Monconduit has fired the hosts ahead as Ligue 1's leaders will need to battle back away from home.

PSG LOSING!

Exhale.What a start, at least in two of the games.Leicester are up 3-1 against Liverpool thanks to a Vardy brace and a Maddison stunner, with Oxlade-Chamberlain the goalscorer for the hosts.Spurs are also leading, as they sit up 2-1 against West Ham after a pair of quickfire goals in that one.Finally, there's Chelsea and Brentford, who remain deadlocked at 0-0 after 45 minutes.

Halftime

Spurs and West Ham have traded goal as things have gotten a bit crazy in London. West Ham initially equalised on a goal from Jarrod Bowen in the 32nd minute but, just two minutes later, Spurs retook the lead as Lucas Moura scored on an assist from Bergwijn.

SPURS AND WEST HAM TRADE GOALS

My goodness what a hit from James Maddison.The Leicester midfielder absolutely rocketed one from 25-ish yards out, and Caominh Kelleher was left helpless as it soared into the back of the net.Leicester's two-goal advantage is restored as they lead 3-1.

A great goal from Spurs, who are now ahead 1-0. Good hold up play from Bergwijn before finding Hojbjerg, who is able to find Bergwijn with a return ball. No mistake from the Dutchman and it's 1-0 Spurs.

GOAL SPURS!

What. A. Game.Three goals inside the opening 20 minutes at Anfield, and it's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the latest one.The midfielder was teed up by Roberto Firmino, who danced around in the box for a few seconds before squaring up the Englishman.The Ox's shot went straight into the bottom corner and Liverpool are certainly back in it.

GOAL LIVERPOOL!

In La Liga, we already have a surprise result at Atletico Madrid have fallen to Granada.Joao Felix scored two minutes in but goals from Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina were enough to doom Diego Simeone's side.

Atleti fall in Spain

VARDY AGAIN!Liverpool are 2-0 behind against Leicester and it's that man on the scoresheet again.Daka squares one to the English forward for what is basically a simple tap-in, giving Leicester a two-goal lead within the first 13 minutes.What a start for Leicester.

2-0 to LEICESTER!

Leicester are in the lead within the first 10 minutes and guess who scored it?It's Jamie Vardy with the goal as the Foxes lead early at Anfield against far from a top-level Liverpool

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The starting XI to face <a href="https://twitter.com/FCLorient?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCLorient</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCLPSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCLPSG</a> <a href="https://t.co/OPT2HPtVco">pic.twitter.com/OPT2HPtVco</a>— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_English/status/1473740466218844164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">👥🐟 Le onze du <a href="https://twitter.com/FCLorient?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCLorient</a> pour affronter le <a href="https://twitter.com/PSG_inside?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSG_inside</a> ⏱ Coup d'envoi à 21h. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCLPSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCLPSG</a> Allez Lorient ! <a href="https://t.co/VrBVaepSbe">pic.twitter.com/VrBVaepSbe</a>— FC LORIENT 🐟 (@FCLorient) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCLorient/status/1473735087921504257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Team News: Lorient vs PSG

Today's three Carabao Cup games are all underway!

Kickoff and we're underway!

West Ham boss David Moyes has confirmed that Michail Antonio is out after testing positive for Covid-19."He tested positive last week, about a week ago so we're getting him closer to being back, but he is not here tonight," Moyes told Sky Sports."It has been some draw in the cups (they have already played Manchester United and Manchester City in this competition) but the players have played really well so let's hope we can do it again tonight."We're a bit limited with some injuries but tried to give some people opportunities and we did that in Europe as well."

Antonio out with Covid-19

Harvey Vale is in Chelsea's XI tonight, and GOAL has you covered with all you need to know about the youngster.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/harvey-vale-chelsea-teenage-baller-change-name-ronaldo/blt87491434997e106f" target="_self">Read about how he's risen through the ranks at Chelsea and how he begged his mum to let him change his name to Ronaldo when he was younger!</a>

Harvey Vale: Chelsea's teenage 'baller' who tried to change his name to Ronaldo

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">📋✅🎄 Our starting XI 🆚 <a href="https://twitter.com/Athletic_en?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Athletic_en</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AthleticRealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AthleticRealMadrid</a> <a href="https://t.co/e9wdcxFp8E">pic.twitter.com/e9wdcxFp8E</a>— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden/status/1473723193387012107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LINE-UP I The 1️⃣1️⃣ Lions set to face <a href="https://twitter.com/realmadriden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realmadriden</a> at San Mamés tonight in what is our last match of 2021! 👇<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AthleticRealMadrid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AthleticRealMadrid</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AthleticClub?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AthleticClub</a> 🦁 <a href="https://t.co/66IlUxZ0Lt">pic.twitter.com/66IlUxZ0Lt</a>— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/Athletic_en/status/1473733873116852225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Athletic Club vs Real Madrid

The first round of games are coming to an end in Italy as Inter have topped Torino 1-0 on a goal from Denzel Dumfries.Elsewhere, Roma have drawn Sampdoria 1-1 while Verona and Fiorentina have also finished their match with one goal each.As things stand, Inter sit atop Serie A with a seven-point gap, but both second-place Napoli and third-place Milan will still play today.Napoli will face Spezia while Milan are scheduled to face Empoli.

Meanwhile in Italy...

Due to fixture congestion and Covid absences, there are plenty of young stars playing for the Premier League heavy hitters.Chelsea have made eight changes from the team that started on Sunday against Wolves, with three teenagers, Xavier Simons, Jude Soonsup-Bell and Harvey Vale, all in the XI. Liverpool, meanwhile, have just one player back from the XI that drew Tottenham over the weekend, with teenager Tyler Morton the lone holdover. He's joined by youngster Billy Koumetio, who makes his first Liverpool start, while Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane have been left out of the squad altogether.

Young squads all around

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our quarter-final starting XI! 👇 <a href="https://t.co/Y8l9OXa4Ws">pic.twitter.com/Y8l9OXa4Ws</a>— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1473726300821069827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight's line-up for our <a href="https://twitter.com/Carabao_Cup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Carabao_Cup</a> quarter-final...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TOTWHU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TOTWHU</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/betway?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@betway</a> <a href="https://t.co/SdH49ZtvH4">pic.twitter.com/SdH49ZtvH4</a>— West Ham United (@WestHam) <a href="https://twitter.com/WestHam/status/1473726279715377152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Tottenham vs West Ham

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🚨 Here's how we line-up for tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/Carabao_Cup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Carabao_Cup</a> Quarter-Final Teams presented by @BlueJeansNet <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrentfordFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BrentfordFC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRECHE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BRECHE</a> <a href="https://t.co/G1HdbhlUFQ">pic.twitter.com/G1HdbhlUFQ</a>— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrentfordFC/status/1473726344387256321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Your Chelsea team news tonight! 🔵<a href="https://twitter.com/parimatchglobal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ParimatchGlobal</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreChe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreChe</a> <a href="https://t.co/NTqCb1aUPx">pic.twitter.com/NTqCb1aUPx</a>— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1473726492836352004?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Brentford vs Chelsea

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🔴 Here’s how the Reds line up for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVLEI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVLEI</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Carabao_Cup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Carabao_Cup</a> quarter-final 👊— Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1473722535963467790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here's how we start at Anfield in the Carabao Cup 🦊<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LivLei?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LivLei</a> <a href="https://t.co/NPRfTtC0vk">pic.twitter.com/NPRfTtC0vk</a>— Leicester City (@LCFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LCFC/status/1473726279958417408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Team news: Liverpool vs Leicester

Hello all and welcome! It's another busy day of football across Europe, with the main focus being on the Carabao Cup as Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs are all in action.Liverpool face a tough task as the Reds take on Leicester City, while Tottenham's match may be more difficult as they host West Ham. Chelsea, meanwhile, will visit Brentford in their match.But those aren't the only games on the schedule, as Inter, Milan and Napoli are all in action in Italy, while Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid headline games in Spain against Granada and Athletic Club, respectively.

Welcome!

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Matchday LIVE: Chelsea, Liverpool & Spurs in Carabao Cup action, Real Madrid & PSG in league matches | Goal.com South Africa

Join GOAL for all the latest live updates from across today&apos;s games in the Carabao Cup, La Liga, Serie A and more