Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly confirmed that Mike Penders will retain his place in goal for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round meeting with Liverpool, despite making a costly error during the club’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

According to a report by Football London, Alonso remains confident that the 21-year-old goalkeeper can recover from a difficult introduction to Premier League football. Chelsea suffered a disappointing loss at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with Penders’ mistake contributing to the result.

The young goalkeeper misjudged the trajectory of a corner and punched the ball into his own net, allowing Tottenham to take the lead. Chelsea subsequently struggled to respond, and Mathys Tel increased the visitors’ advantage to secure a convincing victory.

The defeat was another setback for Alonso’s side and also ended Chelsea’s long wait to avoid losing at home to Tottenham, who had not won away against their London rivals since April 2018. The result has increased the pressure on Chelsea to deliver a stronger performance when they face Liverpool in the League Cup.

Despite the disappointment, Alonso has reportedly decided against dropping Penders for the upcoming cup fixture. His position suggests that the manager wants to give the young goalkeeper an opportunity to put the mistake behind him rather than risk damaging his confidence after a difficult afternoon.

Goalkeepers are frequently judged by errors that directly lead to goals, but Alonso’s reported decision reflects the importance of patience when developing young players. Penders is still adapting to the demands of senior football, and the manager appears willing to support him as he gains experience at the highest level.

Alonso has also defended winger Geo Quenda, who has recently begun making his first Premier League appearances for Chelsea. The manager’s approach indicates that he wants emerging talents to receive guidance and encouragement as they adjust to the pressure and expectations associated with playing for a major club.

Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix has similarly expressed confidence in Penders’ ability to recover from the setback. The defender acknowledged that mistakes are an unavoidable part of football and stressed that the squad should support the goalkeeper rather than allow one incident to affect his confidence for the remainder of the campaign.

Lacroix’s comments underline the importance of maintaining unity within the dressing room, particularly after disappointing results. Chelsea will need a collective response against Liverpool, with the players expected to demonstrate greater concentration and composure if they are to progress to the next round of the competition.

The Carabao Cup encounter represents an immediate opportunity for Chelsea to move beyond their defeat to Tottenham and restore some confidence. Facing Liverpool will present a demanding test, making a disciplined defensive performance especially important.

Chelsea can nevertheless draw encouragement from their recent record against the Merseyside club. They have reportedly avoided defeat in their last three meetings with Liverpool, recording two victories at Stamford Bridge and a draw at Anfield.

Alonso will hope that this record provides additional motivation as his team prepares for Wednesday’s match. By continuing to back Penders and encouraging the squad to respond positively, the Chelsea manager will be looking for a performance that demonstrates resilience and gives the club a chance to continue its Carabao Cup campaign.