Crystal Palace Inflicts Third Consecutive Liverpool Defeat, Ending Four-Year Streak

Liverpool suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup last 16, marking their sixth loss in seven games and continuing a troubling run of form. The defeat was compounded by the sending off of 18-year-old Amara Nallo, who received a second red card in as many appearances. Palace's Ismaila Sarr scored twice in quick succession before half-time, with Yeremy Pino adding a late third, capitalizing on Liverpool's weakened and youthful lineup. Manager Arne Slot defended his decision to rotate the squad heavily due to fixture congestion ahead of crucial matches against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, emphasizing the club's tradition of giving young academy players opportunities in this competition. Despite the criticisms of the inexperienced team selection, some young players showed promise, though the overall result highlighted Liverpool's current crisis and need for urgent improvement. The loss has intensified pressure on Liverpool, making upcoming fixtures even more critical for the Premier League champions.