Xabi Alonso has defended Estevao’s lack of involvement in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

The Brazilian was an unused substitute as the Blues lost on penalties at Anfield, even through Alonso was without forwards Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer due to injury and suspension.

Estevao had started Chelsea’s previous two games in the Carabao Cup, with the competition offering the 19-year-old forward an opportunity for minutes that have so far proved elusive in the Premier League.

Estevao is yet to start in the Premier League this season, playing just 53 minutes in six substitute appearances, and was overlooked as Alonso named a strong side to face Liverpool in the fourth-round tie.

Alonso started with Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck and Pedro Neto in attack but then made just four of the five substitutions available to him. Only one of those changes featured an attacker, with Emmanuel Emegha replacing Welbeck to make his debut off the bench. Geovany Quenda, who started Chelsea’s defeat to Tottenham on Saturday, was also an unused substitute.

Alonso explained that he was forced into changing his midfield and defence in-game due to fitness concerns. Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto and Maxence Lacroix had to be replaced, with Lacroix limping off with a hamstring issue that may make him a doubt to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Responding to a question over his use of Estevao, Alonso replied: “Well, we started with Pedro [Neto], with Danny [Welbeck] and with Morgan [Rogers] up front. The game had very intense moments. We knew that [the game] was going to be physical and after we had to deal with Max [Lacroix], Moi [Caicedo] had little problems. Malo as well, he had cramps. We were a little bit forced with substitutions.”

He added: “The season is going to be long, and there will be moments for everyone.”

Estevao sparkled at times for Chelsea last season in his first season in English football, scoring eight goals in all competitions including a stunning strike in the 3-0 win over Barcelona. He was tipped to travel to the summer’s World Cup but suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out of Brazil’s squad.

Alonso’s preference to play a system with wing-backs and narrow No 10s may have led to Estevao’s lack of involvements in Chelsea’s team this season. Portuguese winger Neto has impressed with his versatility to play both at wing-back and in Chelsea’s front three, where he started at Anfield.