14 hours ago
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In a bid to halt a losing streak that now totals six defeats in seven matches, Arne Slot decided to rest his key players for Wednesday night's Carabao Cup exit at home to Crystal Palace.
A significantly altered Liverpool team, featuring 10 changes and no first-team players on the bench, was subsequently defeated 3-0 by a Palace side boasting plenty of experience, resulting in last season's runners-up bowing out at the fourth-round stage.
Notable players such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Florian Wirtz were all present at Anfield on the night. However, many of the stars who played pivotal roles in Liverpool's Premier League title win by 10 points last season were given the evening off to fully prepare for Saturday's clash with Aston Villa.
This means that most of the squad have had a full week to prepare for just one match for the first time in over a month.
With the possibility of the champions being 10 points behind leaders Arsenal by the time the game starts on Saturday, Slot is hoping that a well-rested team can reverse a dismal run.
He said: "When was the last time I gave them a week off during the week, do you know?
"The last time was Southampton at home (in the third round of the Carabao Cup), and then we played Crystal Palace three days later, and that wasn’t our best first half.
"Of course, it would be very helpful if it brings the best out of them on Saturday.
"I have to manage the squad throughout the season, and if I keep playing them after two days, two days, two days, two days, then not all of them are used to that, and I think there is a fair risk that they could be injured.
"If I have to go down with one or two more injured players in addition to the four I already have, then the programme would become even more and more complicated.
"Yes, of course, I hope, we hope, that on Saturday we will see a team that is very energised, but in my opinion, we have seen this 98 out of 100 times while I have been in charge, and probably all the games when Jurgen was in charge.
"The exception was the first half against Palace and the first 60 minutes against Brentford, where we had to play two days after a long away game in Europe and the third game in seven days, and many teams are struggling then.
"We struggled against Everton in the second half because that was also the third game in seven days in terms of winning duels and being as competitive.
"I have a lot of belief that the players are ready for Saturday and the fans are definitely ready, that is what I experienced on Wednesday and let’s hope we can start the game going 1-0 up instead of always going 1-0 down."
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