Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso raised eyebrows among supporters with an unusual comment moments after his side were eliminated from the Carabao Cup. The Blues led at Anfield against Liverpool but ultimately lost the penalty shootout, missing the chance to reach the quarter-finals.
During the shootout, Chelsea had the opportunity to win the match, but debutant Emmanuel Emegha failed to convert. Valentin Barco and Wesley Fofana also missed, forcing Chelsea to reflect on a disappointing exit.
Alonso's post-match remarks
Speaking immediately after the defeat, the former Bayer Leverkusen boss said: "It's a small setback in this competition. 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."
His comments appeared contradictory given his pre-match words to Sky Sports, where he stated: "We are coming to Anfield and we want to be in the next round. From the beginning we have taken it seriously."
Result and reaction
On the outcome, Alonso remarked: "Well for sure the outcome is not what we wanted. It is not what we expected before the game. You know once you reach the penalties, there's going to be a sad side. This is us in that case. But I would say that the game we have played to a very good competitive level, good performance. We showed an improvement, I would say. That's what we wanted."
The result is disappointing for the two-time Champions League winners, especially as they have no European football this season. Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League, having won just two of their previous six matches across all competitions. They now turn their attention to Saturday's early kick-off at Stamford Bridge, where they host Manchester United.
