Debate over stuttering penalty run-ups intensified after Chelsea midfielder Valentin Barco and Arsenal midfielder Bruno Guimaraes missed in Carabao Cup last-16 shootouts. Chelsea went out against Liverpool at Anfield, while Arsenal were eliminated by League Two Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night.
Misses in the shootouts
Barco missed Chelsea's fourth penalty in the shootout defeat by Liverpool when he hit the post after a stuttered run-up. Chelsea then went out of the EFL Cup when defender Wesley Fofana sent a penalty high into the Kop at Anfield in sudden death.
Guimaraes had a penalty saved after a similar stuttered run-up as Arsenal went out against Fleetwood Town.
Rules and tournament numbers
Under Fifa rules, a player is allowed to stop or feint in the run-up as long as they do not do it directly before kicking the ball. There were 26 stuttering penalties at this year's World Cup and 11 were missed.
Harry Kane used a stuttering run-up and had a penalty saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic in England's 4-2 win, then scored after getting a retake because Livakovic came off his line early. Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Guimaraes was one of those 11 to miss at the World Cup.
Different views on the technique
Former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta told ITV: "Every player picks his style where he feels confident, and for Valentin Barco, I believe that is his way of shooting it. I don't believe that was his first time, I hope not!"
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told TalkSport on Wednesday: "I wouldn't allow it if I was a manager. It is ridiculous, self-indulgence, a player trying to be the centre of attention."
Murphy also said: "When they do the stutter they think the keeper might go, but they aren't going that early, they aren't being tricked any more. It is naive."
Former Liverpool and Chelsea full-back Glen Johnson said: "I like the technique. It gives the players a bit of time."
Johnson also said: "What confused me about that one [from Barco] is usually players are watching the keeper. He has moved, he has got it right and gone the right way but lifted it in the air for no reason."
He added: "You have the whole goal to shoot at and that is the surprising part. He has already beaten the goalkeeper, he doesn't have to hit it into the top corner."
Johnson also said: "If he puts that ball three inches to the right you would say it is the best penalty you have seen."
Gomez converts with simple run-up
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez scored a penalty with a simple run-up. BBC Sport says Gomez has never scored a senior goal in 319 professional appearances.
Gomez told ITV: "Everyone is on edge and we want to win."
He added: "For me it is the moment I was thinking about and anticipating. It was nice it went in."