Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso downplayed the significance of their exit from the Carabao Cup, stating that the London club is fully focused on securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The Spanish coach spoke after the team's defeat to Liverpool in the penalty shootout during the fourth round of the tournament:
This is a small slip in a specific competition. Perhaps, for us, this is the least important tournament this year, so we need to move on. That's football; it's part of our profession. We showed a good level of play, and that's how we should perform in these stadiums. As soon as we leave Anfield, all our thoughts will be on Saturday and the Premier League. That's the main and most important thing. The Premier League is our key focus. We have little time to recover due to the early Saturday match, so we need to quickly shift our mindset.
