Arne Slot’s Line-Up Gamble Backfires as Liverpool Endure Sixth Defeat in Seven Video games with Carabao Cup Loss to Crystal Palace
Arne Slot’s daring rotation plan backfired as a youthful and closely rotated Liverpool aspect crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 residence defeat to Crystal Palace within the final 16 — their sixth loss in seven video games.
Slot made 10 modifications from the crew that misplaced 3-2 to Brentford on the weekend, handing begins to three youngsters and filling his bench with gamers no older than 21.
With senior figures resembling Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike all absent, Liverpool’s inexperience confirmed all through the match.
Palace took management late within the first half when Ismaila Sarr struck twice in 4 minutes, punishing slack defending from Joe Gomez and firm.
The Senegalese ahead’s first got here after Gomez’s mistake gifted him possession, whereas his second was a composed end from Yeremy Pino’s move. Pino later sealed the victory himself with a curling effort into the far nook to make it 3-0.
Liverpool’s frustration deepened when 18-year-old defender Amara Nallo was despatched off within the 79th minute for flattening Justin Devenny, who was racing by way of on aim. Regardless of a number of probabilities — notably Federico Chiesa forcing a save and lacking a close-range effort — the Reds not often threatened Palace’s dominance.
The defeat ends Liverpool’s hopes of including one other League Cup to their tally of 10 and continues a worrying run of type for the reigning Premier League champions.
Slot’s males now face a frightening run of fixtures: Aston Villa within the league on Saturday, Actual Madrid within the Champions League subsequent Tuesday, and Manchester Metropolis away on November 9.
Youthful Reds Outclassed
Slot defended his choice, pointing to Liverpool’s congested schedule as justification for resting key gamers. His beginning XI included 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha — already a Premier League scorer this season — and midfield prospects Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison.
Reverse quantity Oliver Glasner, nevertheless, named a close to full-strength Palace aspect that includes Marc Guehi, whose £35 million transfer to Liverpool fell by way of on deadline day. With Guehi’s contract expiring subsequent summer season, Liverpool might but revisit their curiosity — particularly given how fragile their defence regarded.
Regardless of the loss, Ngumoha offered a uncommon optimistic for the house aspect. {The teenager} impressed together with his tempo, directness, and dribbling, regularly thrilling the Anfield crowd at any time when he acquired on the ball.
Past that, although, few of Liverpool’s fringe or younger gamers seized their likelihood — leaving Slot with extra questions than solutions as his aspect exited the competitors with a whimper.
Arne Slot’s Line-Up Gamble Backfires as Liverpool Endure Sixth Defeat in Seven Video games with Carabao Cup Loss to Crystal Palace