Chelsea defender Malo Gusto has faced severe scrutiny following his side's Carabao Cup exit on penalties against Liverpool at Anfield. The 23-year-old was targeted by travelling Blues supporters, who cheered his withdrawal when he was substituted in the 67th minute. The midweek cup defeat delivered another setback for Xabi Alonso’s team, having already suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham the previous Saturday.
Reviewing the Anfield encounter on talkSPORT’s Daily Football Podcast, Adrian Durham and Andy Townsend questioned the form of the full-back, who arrived from Lyon for roughly £26m in 2023. Despite recent transfer links touting him with a move to Manchester City, Durham labelled his display "awful" and suggested it could signal "the end of the road." Townsend argued that Gusto has "gone a little soft" and looked "fragile," pointing out that although he was deployed on the left flank rather than his preferred right side, the defender repeatedly hit the deck looking for free-kicks without contact instead of doing his defensive duties.
Gusto was not the only member of the Chelsea backline singled out, as Wesley Fofana also endured a difficult outing. The £70m signing from Leicester conceded a penalty during the first half and later missed his attempt in the deciding shootout. Fofana has managed only 78 outings across more than four years due to continuous injury struggles, with Townsend warning that the centre-back remains prone to lapses in concentration and decision-making errors that routinely get punished.
The cup elimination highlighted wider defensive vulnerabilities for Chelsea, who have conceded 15 times in eight Premier League games—a tally exceeded only by Ipswich and Crystal Palace—despite scoring 17 goals. While an attacking unit that cost heavily, including £117m summer arrival Morgan Rogers, has struggled without the injured Joao Pedro and the suspended Cole Palmer, the Blues will welcome Palmer back into the squad for Saturday's 12:30pm clash with Manchester United.