Liverpool Manager Arne Slot Defends Squad Rotation After Carabao Cup Exit

Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended his decision to field a heavily rotated and youthful team during their 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace, citing the need to rest senior players ahead of a demanding schedule including upcoming Premier League and Champions League fixtures. Despite the poor run of form, with Liverpool losing six of their last seven games across competitions, Slot emphasized that resting key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah was necessary to manage fatigue and injury risks, especially given their limited squad depth. Slot acknowledged that the run of results is unacceptable for a club of Liverpool's stature but maintained that prioritizing league and European matches over cup competitions is a strategic choice. Crystal Palace secured their third win over Liverpool this season, with Ismaila Sarr scoring twice and Yeremy Pino adding a late goal, while Liverpool also faced the setback of a late red card to youngster Amara Nallo. Slot stressed the importance of imposing Liverpool's playing style rather than reacting to opponents and accepted the pressure and high standards expected at the club. Despite criticism from some quarters, Slot remains firm in his approach, highlighting the challenges posed by fixture congestion and injuries in his team selection.