Xabi Alonso reflects on Chelsea’s Liverpool cup defeat

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup campaign is over, and the manner of the exit will sting: after a 1-1 draw with Liverpool, a penalty shootout sent the Blues out in the fourth round. Xabi Alonso said his side had produced an improved display, but the result was not what they wanted or expected.

Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead from the spot after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo in the area. Liverpool responded with a penalty of their own, Cody Gakpo converting after Wesley Fofana was judged to have handled the ball. Both teams had opportunities in the second half, but neither found a winner before the shootout.

Fofana’s effort went over the bar, a costly moment in a contest Alonso described as close and physically demanding. “We produced a good performance, an improvement, we played with courage,” he said. “It’s a small setback in this competition.”

The Chelsea manager also spoke about Estevao, whose opportunities have been a subject of attention. Alonso said the young player wants to feature and be part of the team, adding that it was his responsibility to ensure Estevao gets his moments. He noted that the side had been “quite forced” with substitutions by the end of the match.

Alonso said Estevao is in his second season and has had an injury, but added: “It’s not going to be long.” He also praised the player’s composure and solidity, saying he had dealt well with Saturday’s game. The manager acknowledged the disappointment of a difficult moment, saying it would have meant a great deal to Estevao and the team if he had made his debut in that situation.

There was also a concern to monitor after a player felt something in the hamstrings. Alonso said Chelsea would need to check on it over the next couple of days, without offering a diagnosis.

The shootout loss leaves Chelsea with no further place in this season’s competition. Alonso’s assessment balanced the disappointment with the performance he saw: a close, intense match, and signs of improvement that could not change the final outcome.