Carabao Cup least important for us – Xabi Alonso downplays Chelsea’s loss

Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso has downplayed his side’s Carabao Cup exit, describing the competition as the club’s “least important” this season.

Chelsea were knocked out in the fourth round on Wednesday night after losing 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool at Anfield, following a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Morgan Rogers had given Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo, before Cody Gakpo equalised with another penalty after Wesley Fofana handled in the area.

Both sides missed chances to win it, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Mike Penders making key saves, before the tie went to a shootout.

Fofana missed the decisive spot-kick for Chelsea after Kostas Tsimikas and Ryan Gravenberch had also failed for Liverpool.

Speaking after the defeat, which was Chelsea’s second in a row following the EPL loss to Tottenham, Alonso said the Premier League remains the priority.

“It’s a small setback in this competition,” Alonso told reporters. “It’s probably the least important competition for us in the year, so we need to move on.

“And as soon as we leave Anfield, our focus is Saturday’s Premier League. This is the main and the most important thing. The Premier League is the main focus.”

The former Liverpool midfielder, who was returning to Anfield as a coach, insisted there were positives despite the exit.

“We showed an improvement, I would say. That’s what we wanted. We played with courage. The game was really close,” he said.

Alonso also faced questions for leaving Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian on the bench as an unused substitute despite Chelsea needing an attacking spark.

The defeat means Chelsea, who are fifth in the Premier League and eight points off the pace, are now left with only Premier League and FA Cup football. They face Manchester United in an early kick-off on Saturday.

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