Joao Pedro setback leaves Xabi Alonso with Chelsea attacking dilemma at Liverpool

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso says Joao Pedro is likely to remain sidelined until after next month’s international break, forcing him to reconsider his attacking options for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup last-16 tie at Liverpool.

The Brazil forward picked up a thigh injury in training and was absent from Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Tottenham. Alonso confirmed that Joao Pedro is facing several weeks out and is unlikely to return before the end of November at the earliest.

“He has a thigh injury and will be out for several weeks,” said Alonso at his pre-match news conference. “We will have to wait and see how long he is out. We do not want to speculate, but he is not ready for the next matches.”

The Spanish manager added that Joao Pedro will “probably” miss the international break next month. The injury is another setback for the 24-year-old, who was also unavailable for Brazil’s most recent camp because of a knee problem.

Chelsea must now decide how to operate without the former Brighton striker. Alonso’s decision to use a system without a recognised centre-forward against Tottenham, while leaving Danny Welbeck out, attracted considerable attention.

Welbeck is keen to start against Liverpool, but Alonso’s selection for the Carabao Cup tie will be shaped by the absence of Joao Pedro and the attacking approach he chooses to adopt at Anfield.

The match will also carry personal significance for Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player in 2005. It will be his third visit to Anfield as the manager of an opposing side.

Alonso previously lost there with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 and with Real Madrid last season. He was asked whether he would celebrate if Chelsea scored against Liverpool.

“Of course I will celebrate, but with respect, because my friendly relationship with Liverpool was formed when I was a player,” he said.

“Now I am in a different role. I have to support my team and fight for it.”

The fixture takes place on 28 October 2026, with Chelsea attempting to progress in the Carabao Cup despite losing one of their key attacking players.