Maxence Lacroix limped off at Anfield with a hamstring problem as Chelsea went out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. The centre-back has started every Premier League game this season, and United arrive on Saturday.

Chelsea face an anxious wait over Maxence Lacroix. The centre-back was clearly in pain as he left the pitch at half-time at Anfield on Wednesday night. Levi Colwill came on in his place. Alonso said Lacroix had felt something in his hamstring and that the club would need a couple of days to work out what the injury was.

The timing could hardly be worse. Lacroix has started every Premier League game this season since his summer move from Crystal Palace. He has been a fixture in a defence that has conceded 15 league goals, with Chelsea fifth in the table. Manchester United come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, so the recovery window is short.

Shootout defeat came at a heavy physical cost

The fourth-round tie kicked off at 8pm. Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead from the spot in the 40th minute. Cody Gakpo replied with a penalty of his own three minutes later. That spot-kick came after Wesley Fofana handled a corner.

Fofana’s evening ended in further disappointment. He missed the 16th kick of the shootout, which decided the tie. Liverpool won the shootout 6-5, Sky Sports reported. A home tie against Bournemouth now awaits Liverpool in the last eight.

Lacroix was not the only player to come off injured or hurting. Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto were both withdrawn after 68 minutes for Valentin Barco and Marco Palestra. Those changes were partly forced. Caicedo had minor problems and Gusto had cramp.

Back-line options shrink before United arrive

If Lacroix is ruled out, Alonso will turn to Fofana, Hato, Colwill or Acheampong. Colwill already has a half of football behind him from Anfield. Fofana will hope to put a painful night behind him quickly.

The wider injury list is already long. Joao Pedro picked up a thigh injury before the cup tie. That is a significant loss in attack, given his return of five goals and three assists from seven matches. Captain Reece James is also missing. Chelsea announced earlier this month that he had undergone successful minor knee surgery after an injury in training. Jamie Gittens is out as well.

Losing Lacroix on top of that trio would stretch the squad further. Any reshuffle would come with little time for the new pairing to settle before a 12.30pm kick-off.

Alonso’s press conference on Friday should bring the next update on Lacroix’s fitness.