Estevao unused at Anfield after Alonso explains Chelsea's changes

Estevao watched the whole Liverpool tie from the bench as Chelsea lost on penalties at Anfield in the Carabao Cup fourth round. Xabi Alonso said the substitutions were shaped by the flow of the match and by fitness problems, not by a simple choice to leave the Brazilian out.

Alonso's explanation

Speaking after Liverpool vs Chelsea, Alonso said Chelsea started with Pedro Neto, Danny Welbeck and Morgan Rogers up front, and then ran into a physical game. He added that Moi Caicedo had “little problems” and that Malo Gusto had cramps, leaving the staff “a little bit forced with substitutions”.

The manager also pointed to the longer season ahead. “The season is going to be long, and there will be moments for everyone,” he said.

Estevao's league minutes

The wider issue for Chelsea is still Estevao's usage in the league. He has not started a Premier League game this season and has made six appearances, all from the bench. Across those outings he has played 52 minutes.

That is thin involvement for a player who scored eight goals in all competitions last season, including one in the 3-0 win over Barcelona. Chelsea also had Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer unavailable because of injury and suspension, yet Estevao still never got off the bench at Anfield.

Maxence Lacroix also limped off with a hamstring issue and may be a doubt for Manchester United on Saturday. Chelsea used only four of their five substitutions, which tells you how quickly the game shifted away from attacking changes and into damage limitation.