Arne Slot defends League Cup selection despite not meeting ‘Liverpool standards’

LONDON – Liverpool boss Arne Slot defended his decision to name a much-changed side after a 3-0 League Cup fourth-round exit to Crystal Palace on Oct 29 extended the Reds’ miserable run.

The English Premier League champions have now lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, including their last four in the league.

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 selection were easily picked off by Palace, who have now beaten Liverpool three times this season, including the penalty shoot-out win in the Community Shield.

Ismaila Sarr struck twice in the first half before Yeremy Pino added a third late on after Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off at Anfield.

“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.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner said it was “disrespectful” to suggest the Reds had put out a weakened team.

He said: “It was Arne Slot’s decision and we never care what other teams are doing.

“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. (Milos) Kerkez moved for £40 million (S$68.4 million). (Federico) Chiesa plays for the (Italy) national team. (Rio) 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.”

FA Cup winners Palace have more silverware in their sights, but were handed another difficult draw away to Arsenal in the quarter-finals. The Gunners saw off Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 on Oct 29 to book their spot.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will aim to snap their Premier League losing streak against in-form Aston Villa on Nov 1. They host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Nov 4, before a trip to Manchester City on Nov 9.

“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.”

Slot also made comparisons to the line-ups fielded by their Premier League rivals Chelsea and City, who both won their League Cup ties on Oct 29.

Said the Dutchman: “I saw City’s line-up and I don’t think they had one starter from the weekend but it felt as if – if you look at their line-up – that they had played with their 11 starters.

“Maybe that gives a little bit of an insight that everybody has always said how big of a squad we have. When we played Chelsea, I said they are missing eight but they can still bring Estevao (Willian) in.

“We are only missing four players at the moment and already we needed to start with four players under the age of 19. After I made two substitutions, we were on six.”

However, former Liverpool and England defender Stephen Warnock pushed back at Slot’s comments.

He said on BBC Radio: “Slot has almost admitted there that the squad is not strong enough. It was very much deflecting and making excuses... You know your squad depth isn’t the best, then your business hasn’t been good enough in the summer.”

Liverpool were Europe’s biggest spenders in the summer, splashing over £400 million on players.

Fellow former Reds and England player Jamie Redknapp added on Sky Sports: “It was the wrong team, make no mistake... You can’t tell me that he’s picked that team today and those subs thinking ‘that will get me a result against a really good Crystal Palace side’.” AFP