Chelsea fans are right to explode after 'outrageous' Xabi Alonso claim

Alonso drew criticism after calling the Carabao Cup the 'least important' competition for Chelsea following their penalty shootout loss to Liverpool.

Chelsea crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, 28 October after a penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Morgan Rogers and Cody Gakpo exchanged goals in normal time, with the shootout decided when Wesley Fofana's effort went into the stands after Ryan Gravenberch and Emanuel Emegha had both missed.

Manager Xabi Alonso faced immediate backlash after describing the competition as the "least important" for Chelsea, a comment that contradicted his team selection which included multiple key players. Supporters highlighted the contradiction between his words and his lineup decisions, and pointed out that Chelsea have not won a trophy in over a decade, making the Carabao Cup one of only two realistic chances to win silverware this season.

With no European football and slim Premier League title hopes, Alonso is under pressure ahead of Saturday's match against Manchester United.