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When Crystal Palace last met Liverpool at the end of September, the notion that Arne Slot was under any sort of pressure felt laughable.
Just 32 days later, and after another defeat to the Eagles — and a sixth loss from seven — it now seems Slot can do little but invite unwanted pressure on himself.
Few were surprised when the Dutchman opted to make 10 changes to his Liverpool team to face Palace. After all, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai need a rest during a run of seven matches in just 22 days, while the squad’s fringe members were deserving of minutes.
But the names on the bench did make for more of a shock, with Slot exclusively naming youth players, only two of whom had ever represented the first team before. There was no room for Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz or even Conor Bradley on a list of back-ups that were all aged 21 or younger.
It meant Liverpool essentially had to win the match with those 11 Slot had selected from the off. Even that team had an experimental feel, with a change in shape and two juvenile wingers in Kieran Morisson and Rio Ngumoha, while Federico Chiesa started as an unorthodox no.9 role.
Freddie Woodman also made his debut for Liverpool, Calvin Ramsay was handed his first appearance for the club since 2022, and Wataru Endo was deployed at the heart of defense. Given that Palace named a strong team, progression to the quarter-finals was always going to be a tall order.
Ultimately, it wasn’t much of a competition as the Eagles soared into the last eight courtesy of an Ismaila Sarr brace and a late strike from Yeremy Pino. After an encouraging start to proceedings, Liverpool barely laid a glove on its opponent in the final hour.
Perhaps that’s not a surprise given Slot’s team selection, but the optics of a 3-0 loss in the midst of this current run of form are not good. It’s another game in which Liverpool has conceded multiple goals, while the 3-0 defeat was the worst domestic cup loss at Anfield since 1934.
Another incredible stat the Opta boffins served up is that since that defeat to Palace on September 27, no side in Europe’s top-five league has lost more games than Liverpool.
At the moment, it feels like Slot is meeting a dead end with every turn he takes. Yet, the Liverpool head coach isn’t necessarily helping himself. Opting not to include any senior attackers on the bench was a bold choice, one that backfired.
It comes after his team selections have been so contentious in recent weeks; his comments on the opposition's style of play have been met with derision, while he has struggled to incorporate his expensive summer signings.
Speaking after Wednesday’s 3-0 loss, Slot defended his team selection and said it was borne out of a desire to avoid further injuries.
“I could have brought them [those who were rested] 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,” the Slot told Sky.
“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.”
It’s a choice, Slot will have time to mull over in the coming days, while the realization that Liverpool now has only three pieces of silverware on offer this season should not be overlooked.
Winning the Premier League looks increasingly unlikely; the Champions League is a daunting task for any participant. That could leave just the FA Cup.
The midweek defeat also ramps up the pressure ahead of Aston Villa on Saturday, with Unai Emery able to predict Liverpool’s starting XI with some degree of certainty. The Villans have had a week off to prepare and head to Anfield after beating Manchester City. It now has the feel of a game of real significance. Another lifeless defeat won’t be accepted.
Slot cannot allow that to happen if he wants to prevent Liverpool’s current stumble from becoming something more terminal — both for the team’s season and for his long-term future at Anfield.
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