Alonso downplays Carabao Cup importance after Chelsea’s exit
Spanish tactician, Xabi Alonso has described the Carabao Cup as the least important competition for his team after Chelsea were eliminated by Liverpool via penalty shootout.
The highly contested fourth-round tie which ended 1-1 in regulation time saw both goals scored from the penalty spot during the first half of the game played at Anfield.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring from the penalty spot for Chelsea FC in the 40th minute after Ryan Gravenberch was adjudged to have brought down midfielder Moises Caicedo in the 18-yard box.
Coady Gakpo equalised for Liverpool in the 43rd minute of the game when he fired home a penalty following a Wesley Fofana handball to level scores at 1-1 at the end of the first half.
The game went into penalty shootout after a scoreless second half with the spot kicks extending to sudden death after Valentin Barco hit the post for Chelsea and Kostas Tsimikas blazed his chance over the bar for Liverpool.
Read Also: Man City defeat Brighton to qualify for League Cup quarter-finals
Giorgi Mamardashvili who manned the post for Liverpool later denied Chelsea debutant Emmanuel Emegha to keep the hosts alive. After Joe Gomez converted his spot kick, Wesley Fofana blazed his shot over the bar sealing a 6-5 victory for Liverpool.
While speaking to newsmen after the game, Alonso was asked about what it felt like being eliminated from the competition. In his reply, the coach played down the importance of the Carabao Cup.
He said; “This is the least important competition for us.
“The Premier League is the main focus.”
Following the victory over Chelsea at Anfield, Liverpool has been drawn to face Bournemouth at home in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal scheduled for the week commencing 14 December 2026.
