Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup after winning 6-5 on penalties at Anfield, with Wesley Fofana's missed spot-kick settling a tense fourth-round tie. Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso accepted the defeat but played down its significance, insisting the Premier League remained his side's main priority.

Alonso reflected on the result after Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Liverpool ended in a penalty shootout, with the Blues unable to progress despite a competitive performance. Speaking after the match, the Chelsea manager described the Carabao Cup as the least important competition for his side.

"Every time you reach penalties you know that someone will leave feeling that it was harsh to go out of the competition. But we saw a proper cup game, really intense, really close from both sides and it's open for everything at the end with penalties," Alonso said.

"This is football. This is part of our job. I've seen a team that was competing and showing a good level. And this is the least important competition for us, the Premier League is the main focus."

The result marked a disappointing return to Anfield for Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player in 2005. However, Chelsea's cup exit does not end their pursuit of silverware this season, with the Premier League and other competitions still ahead.

HOW LIVERPOOL DEFEATED CHELSEA IN CARABAO CUP

Chelsea took the lead in the 40th minute when Morgan Rogers converted a penalty after Ryan Gravenberch fouled Moises Caicedo inside the box. Liverpool responded three minutes later, with Cody Gakpo scoring from the spot after Fofana handled the ball while trying to prevent Virgil van Dijk from reaching a corner.

Neither side found a winner in the second half, with both goalkeepers making important saves to keep the tie level. In the shootout, Liverpool's Giorgi Mamardashvili stopped Emmanuel Emegha's effort, while Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders saved Ryan Gravenberch's penalty.

Joe Gomez converted for Liverpool before Fofana sent Chelsea's decisive kick over the crossbar. The victory extended Liverpool's record of winning all five penalty shootouts against Chelsea and sent them into the quarter-finals, where they will face Bournemouth.

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Chelsea will turn their attention to the Premier League, with Manchester United scheduled to visit Stamford Bridge on October 31. The Blues will look to bounce back after successive defeats, having lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in their previous league outing.

Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League table with 13 points from eight matches, having recorded four wins, one draw and three defeats. They are two points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City, making their league campaign an important focus for Alonso as he looks to keep Chelsea in contention near the top of the table.

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