Xabi Alonso reacts to Liverpool's penalty-shootout victory over his Chelsea side in the Carabao Cup at Anfield.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Xabi Alonso manager / head coach of Chelsea consoles a dejected Jordan Henderson of Chelsea after loosing the penalty shoot out following the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on October 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso consoles a dejected Jordan Henderson after their return to Liverpool ended in penalty shootout defeat for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Xabi Alonso says it was "harsh" to see his Chelsea side beaten by Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup. And the former Reds midfielder was left to rue the fine margins after Andoni Iraola's men secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 6-5 win on spot kicks on Wednesday night.
Cody Gakpo cancelled out Morgan Rogers' opener in the first half at Anfield, with both goals coming from the penalty spot, before the the Reds prevailed in the shoot-out when Wesley Fofana hit the post.
It means Liverpool will now host Bournemouth for a place in the semi-finals and Alonso admitted it was tough to take on the night.
READ MORE: Impressive Andoni Iraola is restoring what Liverpool lost and it could take them to Wembley
Anfield DJ plays it perfectly after unlikely Liverpool hero gets his moment
"Every time you reach the penalties, someone will feel it is harsh to go out of the competition," he said. "It was really close from both sides. Penalties mean it is open to anything.
"They have performed at a good enough level to compete at Anfield. We conceded the penalty and it was even. The game was really close for both sides.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Make sure you never miss the latest Everton news and opinion by makingLiverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.
"It has been a solid performance from [goalkeeper] Mike Penders. We didn't concede many chances but he was quite stable and solid with his performances. That was really important in the first half for us.
“Well for sure the outcome is not what we wanted. It is not what we expected before the game. You know once you reach the penalties, there's going to be a sad side. This is us in that case.
“But I would say that the game we have played to a very good competitive level, good performance. We showed an improvement, I would say. That's what we wanted.
“We played with courage. The game was really, really close. It could have gone either way. Not many chances for both sides.
“And we have tried to overcome difficult moments as well. After the injury, we had to deal with and to change a few things.
“But it's a small setback in this competition. It's probably the least important competition for us in the year, so we need to move on.
“And as soon as we leave Anfield, our focus is Saturday, is Premier League. This is the main and the most important thing.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Xabi Alonso manager of Chelsea hugs Andoni Iraola manager of Liverpool prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on October 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso hugs his Liverpool counterpart and friend Andoni Iraola prior to the Carabao Cup tie(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Alonso, who won the Champions League and FA Cup during his five years at Anfield, added: "This is football. It is part of our job.
"We were showing a good level and this is what it takes to come to these stadiums. The Premier League is the main focus.
"We don't have much time to recover because the game is Saturday, early kick-off so we need to change the mindset quite quickly."
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 2: Liverpool FC Head Coach Andoni Iraola concentrates after the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leeds United at Soldier Field on August 2, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Liverpool's new head coach Andoni Iraola, pictured on the club's tour of the US(Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)