Xabi Alonso risks wrath of Liverpool fans with Chelsea promise before cup clash

Alonso will celebrate if Chelsea score at Anfield, saying he must support his club despite his Liverpool legacy; Joao Pedro ruled out with thigh injury.

Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield as Chelsea manager for Wednesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round tie, his first visit since leaving Liverpool in 2009. The Spaniard has said he will celebrate if Chelsea score, explaining: "Of course, I will celebrate, for sure. With full respect because for sure, my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player. But now, I am in a different role, I need to support my team, I need to support my club."

Alonso will be without key forward Joao Pedro, who suffered a thigh injury in training and is expected to miss several weeks. The, former Chelsea manager said: "He is a key player and we will miss him, but we have to be ready to deal with the injury, be competitive and try to win games with the players we have available." Liverpool also have injury concerns, with Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring), Victor Munoz (knee), Jeremie Frimpong (muscular injury), Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all unavailable.