21 hours ago
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Arne Slot has defended his team selection against Crystal Palace after Liverpool lost 3-0 to the Eagles in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie.
Oliver Glasner’s side were comfortable winners at Anfield with an Ismaila Sarr brace in the first half and a late goal from Yeremy Pino securing the FA Cup holders’ place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup.
It was another ineffective display from Liverpool. Palace was the better side for the vast majority of the game, particularly in the second half. The Reds didn’t even manage a shot on target after the break, and a significant portion of home fans left before the full-time whistle.
It was difficult for Liverpool to regain a foothold in the game after going 1-0 down late in the first half, especially given the bench selected by Slot. The Dutchman did not name a single senior squad member among his substitutes, with nine youth-team players chosen instead.
Slot also made 10 changes to his starting lineup, with Freddie Woodman and Kieran Morisson making their debuts. Calvin Ramsay made his first Liverpool appearance since 2022, while fringe players Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Trey Nyoni, and Federico Chiesa started.
But given Liverpool is currently managing six injuries, Slot said he cannot risk any more, and opted to rest the majority of those who started against Brentford at the weekend – a choice that was heavily influenced by upcoming matches against Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City before the November international break.
Slot defended his team selection following the 3-0 loss, but admitted the tepid display at home was simply not good enough.
“It is not up to Liverpool’s standards to lose six out of seven,” the 47-year-old told Sky Sports.
“It might increase a little bit but not a lot, because the pressure was already very high for the upcoming week where we again have to face three very difficult teams.
“But the good thing maybe is that we can do this in eight days, where all the other times it was seven days because in two days we play the next game again.”
On those who were left out against Palace, Slot added: “I could have brought them into a situation where they had to go into a week like this with a game tonight, only two days’ rest, play the next one, only two days’ rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more for Man City.
“Everybody can have their opinion on it but with the squad we are having maybe 15, 16 first-team players available, this is the choice I made.”
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