Arne Slot Defends Liverpool Team Selection After 3-0 Carabao Cup Defeat

Arne Slot stands by decision to rest key players in Carabao Cup

Liverpool boss Arne Slot defends team selection after 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace, citing fixture congestion and injury concerns.

“I couldn't have brought them (the first team regulars) into a situation where they had to go into a week like this...”

Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended his team selection after the Reds suffered a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup, extending their miserable run to six losses in seven matches. Slot made 10 changes to his starting lineup, leaving senior players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah out of the squad.

The Premier League champions have struggled for form, with their last four league matches ending in defeat. Slot justified his team selection by citing the busy schedule ahead, including upcoming matches against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.

“We have a game tonight, then it's only two days to rest, play the next one, only two days' rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more Manchester City,” Slot explained. He emphasized that with only 15 or 16 first-team players available due to injuries, his decision to rest key players was necessary.

Slot acknowledged that the team's recent performances haven't met Liverpool's standards, saying, “It's not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven.” Despite the criticism, he stood by his decision, citing the need to prioritize player fitness and avoid further injuries.

Arne Slot's team selection raised eyebrows, as he fielded a largely youthful lineup against Crystal Palace, resting key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. The decision didn't pay off, with Palace dominating the match and securing a 3-0 win at Anfield.

Ismaila Sarr scored twice for Palace in the first half, before Yeremy Pino added a third late on. The scoreline might have been even more emphatic if not for some solid goalkeeping from Freddie Woodman. Liverpool's night went from bad to worse when Amara Nallo was sent off after coming on as a substitute, leaving the Reds to finish the match with ten men.

Slot accepted responsibility for the defeat, acknowledging that the team's performance fell short of expectations. “It's not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” he admitted, hinting at the tough week ahead as justification for the team's struggles. The loss marks Liverpool's sixth defeat in seven games, sparking concerns about the team's form and Slot's tactics.

Liverpool's upcoming fixtures are crucial as they look to turn their season around. Their next match is against Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, where they'll aim to end their four-game losing streak in the Premier League. This match will be a vital test for Arne Slot's side as they try to get back on track.

🗣️ "This felt to me the right decision and I haven't changed my opinion"
"I saw Man City's line-up, I don't think they had a starter from the weekend"

Arne Slot defended his decision to rest his first-choice players in last night's 3-0 EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace 🔴 pic.twitter.com/4DaegBGKGq

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 30, 2025

The stakes will be even higher when Real Madrid visits Anfield for the Champions League match on Tuesday. This will be a massive test for Liverpool's squad, and they'll need to be at their best to come out on top. Following the Champions League fixture, Liverpool will travel to Manchester City on November 9th, another tough match that will require a strong performance from the Reds.

“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' rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more Manchester City.

“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.”

FA Cup winners Crystal Palace can't rest on their laurels just yet, as they're looking to add more silverware to their collection. However, their next challenge is a tough one – they'll be heading to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal in the quarter-finals. This matchup promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to progress in the competition.