Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso described the EFL Cup as the club’s “least important competition” after their penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool.
Alonso’s Chelsea were eliminated in the fourth round after losing 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Wesley Fofana missing the decisive spot-kick at Anfield on Thursday (AEDT).
Morgan Rogers had given visiting Chelsea the lead from the penalty spot before Cody Gakpo equalised with another penalty, sending the contest to a shootout.
Despite the disappointment, Alonso played down the significance of the defeat as Chelsea turn their attention to Saturday’s Premier League showdown with rivals Manchester United.
“It’s a small setback in this competition,” former Liverpool star Alonso told reporters (via Football 360), with Chelsea fifth in the Premier League and eight points off the pace.
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“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 [game]. This is the main and the most important thing.”
Alonso, however, insisted there were positives to take from Chelsea’s performance despite suffering a second consecutive defeat following their loss to Tottenham.
“We showed an improvement, I would say. That’s what we wanted. We played with courage,” he said.
“The game was really close.”
The Chelsea boss also faced questions over his decision to leave Brazilian teenager Estevao Willian on the bench throughout the EFL Cup tie, despite supporters calling for his introduction.
“Well, we have started with Pedro [Neto], with Danny [Welbeck] and with Morgan [Rogers] up front,” said Alonso. “The game had very intense moments.
“We knew that it was going to be physical. And after we had to deal with Moi [Caicedo], he had little problems. Malo [Gusto], as well, he had cramps.
“So we were a little bit forced with substitutions. And now we know that the season is going to be long. And there will be moments for everyone.”
