Xabi Alonso has provided injury updates on three Chelsea players following Wednesday’s disappointing Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Liverpool.

The Blues’ run in the Carabao Cup came to an end after a 6-5 loss on penalties to Liverpool, following a 1-1 draw in regulation at Anfield.

Alonso made a total of four substitutions in the game, and he clarified that three of these were forced due to injury problems.

The most obvious one is Maxence Lacroix’s substitution towards the end of the first half. The centre-back sustained a hamstring injury and was limping off the pitch as Levi Colwill came on as a replacement.

Unfortunately, Alonso could not give out much detail on the injury, which will be assessed soon.

“Too early to tell,” the Chelsea manager said in the post-match press conference about Lacroix’s injury.

“Probably he felt something in the hamstrings. We need a couple of days to check what the injury is going to be.”

The France international has an excellent injury record throughout his career, so it is hopefully just a minor issue. However, the 10 starts he had in Chelsea’s 12 games across all competitions so far this season likely took a toll on his body.

The two other players who had to come off with fitness-related issues were Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto; both were substituted off in the 68th minute.

“We knew it was going to be physical,” Alonso explained.

“We had to deal with Moi; he had little problems. Malo, as well, had cramps. So we were a little bit forced to make substitutions.”

Alonso did not specify the “problems” that Caicedo had, but he had missed six games earlier this season due to a calf injury, and his minutes were cautiously managed.

It remains unclear whether Lacroix will be available for Saturday’s home Premier League fixture against Manchester United, but Caicedo and Gusto could hopefully be in the squad since their issues are relatively minor.

Alonso has Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, and Jorrel Hato as alternative centre-back options. It is worth noting, however, that Acheampong and Hato have played wider as full-backs in recent games.

Cole Palmer, who served a one-match suspension against Liverpool, will make his return against Manchester United. Pep Chavarria, who missed the last three games, will hope to be back for the weekend as well.

Joao Pedro (thigh), Reece James (knee), Jamie Gittens (ankle) and Emiliano Martinez (jaw) are expected to remain sidelined for the weekend.

Joao Pedro’s absence, in particular, has arguably had the biggest impact. Chelsea have scored just once, a Morgan Rogers penalty, without the in-form striker in the last two games.

Chelsea will play two more Premier League games, against Manchester United and Sunderland, before heading into the November international break.