Xabi Alonso and Jordan Henderson returned to Anfield on Wednesday night as Chelsea and Liverpool did battle in the Carabao Cup – but it was Maxence Lacroix who was booed by the home support.

Alonso, an icon of the 2005 Champions League final comeback win over AC Milan faced Liverpool for the third time as a manager – having lost twice while in charge of Real Madrid. Henderson was also back.

The 36-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Chelsea’s starting XI, given he has clocked up 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last four Premier League games. However, Lacroix was the recipient of boos from fans.

Why Maxence Lacroix earned boos from Liverpool supporters

Alonso changed his defence on Wednesday night, bringing in Wesley Fofana and Malo Gusto in place of Levi Colwill and Jorrel Hato – but Lacroix remained in the starting XI. The Frenchman has been criticised.

It was Anfield icon Jamie Carragher who questioned Lacroix’s form in a Chelsea shirt this week, claiming the France international looks uncomfortable in Chelsea’s defence. He earned boos in the first half.

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Jordan Henderson – Soccer Player during warm ups

Jordan Henderson of Chelsea warms up ahead of the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on October 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England.

BBC Sport’s Aadam Patel reports: “Brilliant defending from Lacroix, and it ends with Koumas getting a booking, much to the displeasure of the Kop. Lacroix is now getting booed whenever he gets the ball.”

Clinton Morrison hammers Koumas for tackle on Lacroix

Absolutely no doubt about it, the young Wales international deserved to be shown a yellow card. He wasn’t the only Reds player to go into England’s book in the first half; James McConnell also got booked.

But it was a robust challenge from Koumas. While it was never going to be a red card, it was reckless, and Clinton Morrison had this to say about the timing of the challenge on Chelsea’s £52m summer signing.

“Yeah, it’s a yellow card. It’s reckless from young Koumas. I know he’s trying to close down, but he misses the timing and gets it horribly wrong,” Morrison said during his role as co-commentator on Radio 5 Live.