Liverpool 3 – 3 Leicester

Liverpool mounted a stunning last-minute comeback before beating Leicester on penalties after a 3-3 draw to reach the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup at Anfield.

The Reds, with 10 changes from the side who drew at Tottenham on Sunday, were cut apart at will before half-time with Vardy on target twice in four minutes (9, 13) and denied a hat-trick by the width of the post.

An Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain strike kept Liverpool in the game early on (19) before James Maddison’s 25-yard stunner restored the Foxes’ two-goal advantage (33).

Three half-time changes turned the balance of the game in the hosts’ favour with Diogo Jota, James Milner and Ibrahima Konate introduced, and midway through the second period Jota’s smart finish gave the Reds hope from Takumi Minamino’s perfect tee-up.

Another 20 minutes of incessant Liverpool pressure appeared insufficient to keep their cup dream alive – until Minamino pulled them level in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to take the tie to penalties.

After six perfect spot-kicks, Luke Thomas’ tame effort was kept out by Caoimhin Kelleher, but with the chance to send the Reds through Minamino blasted the hosts’ fifth penalty against the bar.

After Kelleher again leapt to deny Ryan Bertrand, Jota made no mistake in sudden death, sending Liverpool into the last four and leaving Leicester to ponder how victory slipped from their grasp.

More to follow…

What’s next?

Liverpool will be back in action on Boxing Day when they host Leeds at Anfield; kick-off 12.30pm. Leicester travel to Man City on Sunday; kick-off 3pm.