Slot 'making excuses' - but should he have rested key players?

Winning the Premier League in his first season, Arne Slot has not got much wrong since taking charge of Liverpool.

But even he may have been surprised at how much his team selection backfired on Wednesday as his side, full of fringe players and youngsters, crumbled 3-0 at home against Crystal Palace in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike were absent as the Reds made a tame exit in a competition they had won twice in the past four seasons and were beaten in the previous campaign's final.

For Slot, whose side have now lost six of their past seven games in all competitions, a daunting schedule that includes encounters with Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City will follow in the next 10 days.

But the Dutchman said in the post-match news conference: "This club has always used this competition for academy players as well.

"It felt to me the right decision and I've not changed my opinion of that because we lost."

Slot named three teenagers in his starting line-up and a further five among his substitutes as he made 10 changes from the team that was beaten 3-2 in the league at Brentford on Saturday.

After a bright start from Liverpool, Ismaila Sarr scored twice at the end of the first half, with 18-year-old Amara Nallo sent off in the second half to end any hope of a fightback from the hosts.

A late third from Yeremy Pino gave the scoreline a flattering feel as Slot watched on helplessly in the heavy Anfield rain.

"Against Brentford it was two days after we played Eintracht Frankfurt away and I saw a team that is struggling to play three games in seven days, but it is not an excuse," he added.

"I've seen the struggles some players have had in pre-season. It's a new challenge to play in the Premier League and Champions League, three games in seven days.

"Our squad is probably not as big as people think it is. There has not been a change in the way we look at this."

However, former Liverpool and England defender Stephen Warnock felt Slot had no justification for his side.

"Arne Slot has almost admitted there that the squad is not strong enough," said Warnock on BBC Radio 5 Live. "It was very much deflecting and making excuses.

"You're a team in the Champions League, yet you're moaning that you're playing a game two days later. You know that is going to happen. I felt there were a lot of excuses in there. You know your squad depth isn't the best, then your business hasn't been good enough in the summer."

Liverpool spent more than £400m in the summer transfer window and ex-Scotland international Pat Nevin felt Slot had shown the Carabao Cup was not important to the Reds this season.

"Arne Slot has shown it is secondary, and it is certainly not as important as the games coming up," said Nevin. "Yes, there will be a bit more stick. There will be a realisation among Liverpool fans, who aren't daft, the fact is they have already won this competition.

"Liverpool have gone heavier for the big names with huge transfer fees compared to a bulkier squad, and it is noticeable now."

Reigning champions Liverpool have lost four successive Premier League games, having started with five wins, leaving them seventh in the table.

Defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday will be their worst since 1953 when they lost five in a row.

Asked if resting so many of his first-team players had increased the pressure to beat Villa, Slot dismissed that suggestion.

"If you lose five of six and then six of seven there's always more pressure," he added. "If you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool you know the pressure is there and I don't think it changes much after this loss.

"If you look at the upcoming week coming up, that is going to be a big week for us, everyone and the club. We need as many players available as we can. You can see with the line-up I had to make.

"I only rested the players that have played mainly in the last week. This is the line-up you get. That shows you we already have a few injuries. With a big week coming up for me, it felt the best choice.

"Combined with that, this club has always chosen in the League Cup to give playing time to young academy players as well."

Although Liverpool's starting 11 included 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha and 18-year-old midfielders Trey Nyoni and Kieran Morrison, the line-up also included seven full internationals.

Slot opted for three central defenders, with Scotland's Andy Robertson on the left, England's Joe Gomez in the middle and Japan's Wataru Endo on the right.

Both full-backs have also represented their country too, with left-back Milos Kerkez a regular for Hungary, while Calvin Ramsay has played for Scotland.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner felt it was "disrespectful" to suggest Liverpool had fielded a weakened team and believed his side deserved all the credit.

"It was Arne Slot's decision and we never care what other teams are doing," said the Eagles boss. "I've seen Joe Gomez play for England, win the Champions League, seen Wataru Endo I don't know how many games for Japan, I've seen Alexis Mac Allister, he won the World Cup as a starter, Kerkez moved for £40m, [Federico] Chiesa plays for the [Italy] national team, Ngumoha has shown he can score goals in the Premier League.

"It was still a good team and everyone is a member of the Liverpool squad. I was never good enough to be in the Liverpool squad. Maybe it was not the strongest team, but still a very good Liverpool side."

For Slot, this match will be forgotten about if they can get positive results against Villa, Real and Manchester City.

"If they beat Villa and Real Madrid, and they start to turn a corner, then yes it will have paid off," added Warnock. "If it isn't and things continue, then Liverpool fans will get disgruntled.

"Managers don't make changes for no reason. But when you need a victory, this was the ideal time to get it."

As Slot pointed out, Liverpool's recent poor run was unacceptable and he will be demanding, and hoping, for an immediate improvement in performances and results to relieve the pressure.