Opinion: Xabi Alonso Deserves To Be Called Out For Contradictory Statements After Carabao Cup Defeat To Liverpool

Xabi Alonso raised some eyebrows after describing the Carabao Cup as “the least important competition” for Chelsea after Wednesday’s penalty loss to Liverpool.

Wesley Fofana’s missed penalty sealed Chelsea’s exit from the Carabao Cup, as Liverpool went on to the last eight with a 6-5 win on penalties (1-1 in regulation).

This leaves Chelsea with just two competitions to play for, the Premier League and the FA Cup. The latter will not start for the Blues until the third round proper in January.

Obviously, the Carabao Cup exit has also increased the probability of another trophyless campaign for the Blues.

After the heartbreaking defeat, Alonso made an arguably tone-deaf statement about Chelsea’s objectives for the season.

“This (the Carabao Cup) is the least important competition for us,” Alonso told Sky Sports (via CBS Sports) in a post-match interview.

“The Premier League is the main focus.”

What makes the statement questionable is Alonso’s change of tone. Hours earlier, during the pre-match interview, he emphasised how serious Chelsea took the cup competition.

“The cups are important for us this year,” the Chelsea boss told Sky Sports before the game.

“We are playing in a (different format). Knowing what it takes, it’s make-or-break, we want to make it happen today.

“For sure, from the beginning we are taking it seriously.”

Was it the right message to send to the Chelsea players?

There is a likely reason behind Alonso’s surprisingly different attitude, which is to relieve the pressure from his team, or perhaps himself as well, after the defeat.

Additionally, he likely spoke the truth. The Carabao Cup is likely at the bottom of Chelsea’s priority list, behind the Premier League and the FA Cup.

Still, the drastic shift in tone and contradictory messages made the statement appear as an excuse after an early cup exit.

The players might benefit from less pressure ahead of Saturday’s home Premier League fixture against Manchester United, but downplaying the defeat and the competition is arguably not the best way to handle it.

Particularly considering Chelsea only made four changes in the team compared to Liverpool’s seven. Alonso decided to keep several key players, such as Maxence Lacroix, Moises Caicedo, and Morgan Rogers in the starting XI, indicating his intention to win. Two of these ended up picking up injury problems, too.

It is also unfair to the 6000 Chelsea supporters that travelled to Anfield on Wednesday night.

That said, Chelsea must now shift their attention to the upcoming Premier League clash with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. After back-to-back defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, Alonso and Chelsea must feel the pressure to pick up a positive result despite the manger’s likely secured position at the club.

It is worth noting that Manchester United are on an eight-game winless run, with head coach Michael Carrick facing possible sacking, so Chelsea are massive favourites heading into this match.