Defensive flaws threaten to derail Chelsera during Xabi Alonso's first season ahead of Liverpool showdown

Only relegation candidates are conceding at a worse rate than Chelsea’s 1.71 goals per 90 minutes, and missing Emi Martinez and Cole Palmer at Anfield won’t help

Only relegation candidates are conceding at a worse rate than Chelsea As Chelsea and Liverpool meet in the EFL Cup, it's a good time to take a look at the beginning of the Xabi Alonso era at the club. On the surface, it has had its highs, like a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth, but it has also brought lows, such as losing to Tottenham while Cole Palmer picked up a red card. As the Blues look to return to Champions League play, it's becoming very apparent that they're missing Enzo Fernandez following his departure to Manchester City over the summer. There isn't much that could've been done to keep the Argentine, as he wanted to follow his former manager to the Etihad, but the fallout has been serious, as only teams in the relegation race are allowing more goals per 90 minutes than Chelsea's 1.71.

With a Liverpool side that's waking up under Andoni Iraola, as Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola find their footing while Alexander Isak gets back to his best, it's a challenge that could break a defense that has already been struggling and see the cup run come to an end for the Blues, especially since Emi Martínez will still be sidelined with a broken jaw after being added from Aston Villa to upgrade the defense. Date: