Arne Slot has stood by his decision to field a much-changed side as Liverpool were knocked out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace. Ismaïla Sarr scored twice and Yéremy Pino added his first Palace goal to secure a comfortable victory for the hosts.
The Liverpool head coach made ten changes from the team that started at Brentford on Saturday, with nine inexperienced youngsters named on the bench. Slot said the same approach had been used in the earlier rounds last season and that he had not changed his opinion despite the result.
Slot acknowledged that selection was made with Saturday's Premier League fixture against Aston Villa in mind, and pointed to a depleted senior squad. He said only 15 or 16 senior players were available, and mentioned injuries to Giovanni Leoni and a suspension for Hugo Ekitiké from the previous round.
Liverpool have now lost six out of seven matches, and Slot accepted that pressure comes with managing the club. However, he said the situation had not altered the scrutiny he faces. He also expressed hope that Ryan Gravenberch could return from injury ahead of the weekend.
