Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his disappointment after the League Cup elimination against Liverpool, but kept his sights set on the Premier League. The match ended 1‑1 and the Blues lost 6‑5 in the penalty shootout, leaving the team out of the competition. Alonso spoke with the Sky Sports channel, where he highlighted the quality of his team's performance at Anfield and stressed that penalties can change any result.
The Spanish coach recalled that, when a match reaches the penalty phase, the idea that the elimination is “unfair” is common, but that the game was very balanced. “The match was very close for both teams,” he stated, adding that the Chelsea team showed sufficient level to compete at the Reds' stadium. Alonso also pointed out that the final score reflected the equality of the match and that conceding the penalty did not alter the balance of the game.
Alonso explained that soccer is a sport where penalties can decide everything and that his team was showing a good level. "This is football. It's part of our job. We were showing a good level and this is what it takes to come to these stadiums and compete," he said. Despite the defeat, the coach emphasized that the main goal remains the Premier League and that the team must recover quickly for the next match against Manchester United, scheduled for Saturday with an early start.
Chelsea, who are in the middle of the table, will have to focus on the league after the elimination in the Carabao Cup. Alonso pointed out that there is not much time to recover and that the team must change its mentality immediately. With the next match against United on the horizon, the coach hopes his players will once again focus on the club's most important competition.