Xabi Alonso Ready to Celebrate if Chelsea Scores Against Liverpool Despite Joao Pedro's Injury

Xabi Alonso has made it clear that he will celebrate if Chelsea scores against his former team Liverpool during their upcoming Carabao Cup match at Anfield. Despite his deep connection with Liverpool, where he spent five years and won major trophies including the 2005 Champions League, Alonso said his loyalty now lies fully with Chelsea as their manager.

"Of course, I will celebrate, for sure," Alonso said. "With full respect because my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player. But now, I am in a different role. I need to support my team. I need to support my club. I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect."

Chelsea's Striker Woes Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Chelsea face the challenge of heading into Anfield without their Brazilian striker Joao Pedro, who picked up a thigh injury during training. Pedro is expected to be sidelined for several weeks, missing crucial Premier League matches against Manchester United and Sunderland before the next international break.

With Pedro out, Alonso’s options up front narrow down to Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha. Welbeck, aged 35, is likely to start after limited action against Tottenham Hotspur, where Alonso used a false nine approach instead. Despite having Welbeck available, Chelsea struggled to threaten Spurs and often resorted to long balls.

Alonso Reflects on Liverpool Link and Supports Florian Wirtz

Alonso revealed he nearly became Liverpool's manager when Jurgen Klopp was set to leave in 2024 but chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen at that time. Regarding Liverpool's £116 million signing Florian Wirtz, whom Alonso coached at Leverkusen, he expressed strong support:

"One of the main reasons for me being here is the time I spent with him in Leverkusen. He was a special player. He helped me so much. I learned a lot from him. Now that he’s at Liverpool, I’m following him closely. The next step is always interesting, and he’s progressing well."

Upcoming Fixtures and Challenges for Chelsea

After facing Liverpool, Chelsea will take on Manchester United and Sunderland in the Premier League before the international break. Alonso must find ways to secure goals without Joao Pedro across these matches.

Additional Information

The author shares a personal note on his journey as a football journalist, recalling childhood memories such as Zinedine Zidane's 1998 World Cup win and following players like Mohamed Salah through his career. He also reflects on iconic teams including AC Milan and Barcelona, and his unforgettable moment watching Mohamed Aboutrika score in the 2006 CAF Champions League final.