With Joao Pedro missing against Tottenham, Xabi Alonso decided to push Morgan Rogers up front and hand Geovany Quenda a first Chelsea start on Saturday. It didn’t work, with Estevao left on the bench.

Alonso has now confirmed that Pedro will be missing for a few weeks, a huge blow to Chelsea ahead of matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. On Saturday, he was a surprise absentee late on.

Instead of an easy change and replacing Pedro with Danny Welbeck, Alonso decided to push Rogers up front. But with Rogers going up front, many felt the sensible decision was to then start Estevao in the 10.

Xabi Alonso explains Estevao snub against Tottenham

Instead, Alonso bizarrely handed Quenda his first start for Chelsea. Estevao did come off the bench, with the Brazilian replacing Quenda in the 72nd minute. Tottenham scored twice inside the last 15 minutes.

On Tuesday, ahead of Alonso and Chelsea going to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, the gaffer was asked why he didn’t start Estevao – or indeed, Welbeck – in Pedro’s absence against Spurs.

“I assess all the options we have, what we have been preparing all the week, to choose the best team for each game. That was the case on Saturday, and that is the case tomorrow,” Alonso said, bluntly.

Estevao will surely start for Chelsea against Liverpool

With Pedro now sidelined for the next few weeks – although Alonso did not give a clear timeline other than a few weeks – and Palmer missing on Wednesday night, Estevao is likely to start at Anfield.

He might have already been in line to start. The Brazil international has started the previous two games in the Carabao Cup against Luton and Leeds, but he was hooked at half-time during the 6-3 win over Leeds.

It is likely that a front three of Welbeck, Rogers and Estevao will get the nod at Anfield, while Wesley Fofana, Valentin Barco, Marco Palestra and Romao Lavia might also come in to face Andoni Iraola’s side.

Alonso has made mistakes since becoming Chelsea manager by making too many changes at once, the first-half display against Leeds and the loss to Brentford being examples. Here, he has very little choice.

With Pedro injured, Palmer suspended, and the likes of Emi Martinez, Reece James and Jamie Gittens still sidelined, the line-up on Wednesday will have a fringe feel to it. Liverpool will certainly be favourites.