A cup exit that stung
Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield ended 1-1 and was lost on penalties. [1] reports that Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead before Cody Gakpo equalised. Liverpool then won the shootout 6-5, according to [2].
The shootout was messy. [3] says Valentin Barco hit the post with a stuttered run-up, and Wesley Fofana missed in sudden death. Fofana had also conceded a penalty for handball during the game, as [4] notes. It was a hard night for a defender who now faces questions from supporters.
The result matters beyond the competition. It was Chelsea’s second defeat in a row, following the league loss to Tottenham. Sky Sports also notes that Liverpool have won five straight in all competitions, so the momentum on the night sat with the other side. Chelsea now have one competition fewer to worry about, which could help in the league. It also means no midweek games for a squad that is short of options in several areas.
Absences that shape the XI
The biggest absence is up front. Alonso said striker João Pedro is probably out and will not return until after the November international break, per [5]. The manager also explained that Pedro missed the Tottenham defeat because of fluid on his thigh, as [6] reports. He also missed the Liverpool tie.
Cole Palmer was suspended for the Liverpool game, so his availability for United is one to check when team news arrives. The input does not say whether the suspension carries over to the league.
There were fresh fitness concerns at Anfield as well. Sky Sports reports that Maxence Lacroix went off with an apparent hamstring injury in the first half. [7] adds that Malo Gusto suffered cramps that forced changes. Neither is confirmed as a long-term problem, and both are listed as doubtful, so Alonso’s defensive options may shrink before Saturday.
Alonso’s rotation and the right-side puzzle
Nothing about Chelsea’s selection has been settled. According to [8], Alonso has used both 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 this season, neither for more than three consecutive league games, and Chelsea have started three different goalkeepers. That is a lot of change for a team trying to build an identity.
On the right, the picture is clearer. [1] says Pedro Neto has started seven of eight league matches and has signed a new six-year contract. Estevao has not started any of the eight Premier League games under Alonso. Marca counts 172 minutes across eight appearances in all competitions. He was left on the bench at Anfield while Emanuel Emegha was picked ahead of him. Alonso says Estevao is still adapting to the physical demands of English football and will get his chance.
Marco Palestra is in a similar spot. [9] says he has three substitute appearances totalling 44 minutes and no competitive start, after an injury layoff. Neto remains first-choice at right wing-back in league matches, so the depth behind him is untested.
What it means
Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League with 13 points from eight games (W4 D1 L3), with 17 goals scored and 15 conceded. The recent league run is mixed: a 5-1 home win over Bournemouth, a 2-0 win at Everton, then a 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham on 24 October. Before those, they lost 3-0 at Brentford and drew 2-2 with Hull City.
The form says this is a team that can score heavily, yet it is not safe at the back. The Guardian argues that Chelsea’s position owes a lot to hot finishing, and that Opta’s expected points model rates them below Manchester United. It expects results to regress. It also notes that Chelsea have conceded more than their underlying numbers suggest, the second-worst rate in the league, and that they have low possession.
That is the question Manchester United ask on Saturday 31 October at Stamford Bridge. Without João Pedro, can Chelsea still create enough, and can a rotated defence with doubts around Lacroix and Gusto hold up? Alonso’s choice of shape and goalkeeper will be the first clue. The site’s forecast for the match locks 24 hours before kick-off, so check it once team news is out.
Sources
- BBC Sport: 'He could be happier' - why is Estevao becoming Chelsea's forgotten man? bbc.co.uk ↩
- Sky Sports: Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties to reach last eight skysports.com ↩
- BBC Sport: 'Stutter' penalty back in the spotlight after Barco miss costs Chelsea bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: 'I'm not sure where Fofana's Chelsea career goes from here' bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: Alonso to celebrate Chelsea goals against Liverpool bbc.co.uk ↩
- BBC Sport: Can clubs stop team news leaking out through FPL picks? bbc.co.uk ↩
- Marca: El infierno azul de 'Messinho', la estrella 'olvidada' por Xabi Alonso que quiso jugar en el Madrid marca.com ↩
- The Guardian: Chelsea’s fine finishing has them flying high – but how long can it last? theguardian.com ↩
- Football Italia: Palestra tipped to make first Chelsea start but faces Premier League concern football-italia.net ↩
