Liverpool boss Arne blames shock 0-3 defeat to Crystal Palace on tough fixture list, forcing him to field weakened team; Reds have now lost six of their last seven fixtures across all competitions
Arne Slot
Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended his decision to name a much-changed side after a 0-3 English Football League Cup exit to Crystal Palace on Wednesday extended the English Premier League champions’s miserable run to six losses in seven games across all competitions.
Ten changes
Slot made his priorities clear before kick-off by making 10 changes, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah left out of the squad completely. A youthful team was easily taken apart by Palace, who have now beaten Liverpool three times this season.
Liverpool’s Wataru Endo (left) and Kaide Gordon appear dejected after losing their English Football League Cup fourth-round match to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Wednesday. Pics/Getty Images
Ismaila Sarr struck twice in the first-half (41st and 45th minute) before Yeremy Pino added a third (88th minute) after Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off.
“It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” said Slot, who used a big week ahead as justification for his team selection. Liverpool will aim to snap their EPL losing streak against in-form Aston Villa on Saturday. Real Madrid then visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday before a trip to Manchester City on November 9.
Just two days rest
“I couldn’t have brought them [the first team regulars] into a situation where they had to go into a week like this. We have a game tonight, then it’s only two days to rest, play the next one, only two days’s rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more [before we face] Manchester City,” said Slot. “Everyone can have his opinion about it, but with the squad we have, maybe 15 or 16 first-team players available, this is the choice I’ve made,” he added.
FA Cup-winners Palace have more silverware in their sights, but were handed another difficult draw away to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
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