O. A.

It matters a hell of a lot less for a team like Arsenal to get knocked out of the Carabao Cup than it does Chelsea. Why? Because Arsenal's season is a failure if they don't win one of the Premier League or the Champions League. If they win the Carabao Cup and lose out on either of the two major trophies, their season is a failure. That is the reality of their situation. Chelsea, however, have no European football, are not competing for the title, and they have a squad of two top players in each position so for them to get knocked out is not a catastrophe, but it's a body blow to the season. It's important for Chelsea that they have as many games as possible because they need to find minutes to keep the entire squad content, but now that's not possible. Of course losing to Liverpool at Anfield can happen even if you play extremely well, but Chelsea played what could be considered their best available team on the day and were involved in a 50/50 game with Liverpool who played their back-up team. Again, I was left unimpressed with the Xabi Alonso tactical plan. Without the ball it was often too passive in the 4-4-2 and with the ball it was clunky. A midfield 3 of Lavia, Caicedo, and Henderson? I get that Caicedo and Henderson can play as #8's, but they both haven't played that role in many a year. It meant Chelsea reliably lacked bodies high. Plus, with Rogers coming infield from the left the team was reliant on Gusto to hold the width in attack, meaning the front 3 was Gusto, Welbeck, and Neto with a diamond midfield of Lavia, Caicedo, Henderson, and Rogers. I mean… come on. Why not play Estêvão on one wing with Rogers central? With Estêvão needing more minutes and Rogers so successful in that role at Aston Villa, it is difficult to justify. Xabi Alonso continues to underwhelm. He must do more, starting against Manchester United on Saturday.