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Liverpool player ratings vs Crystal Palace as Arne Slot embarrassed by baffling decision
Liverpool were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round by Crystal Palace as Arne Slot bizarrely chose to heavily rotate his already confidence-hit Reds team
Liverpool endured more misery as Crystal Palace dumped the Reds out of the Carabao Cup with an embarrassingly easy 3-0 victory, and Arne Slot has been left incredibly red-faced.
Slot baffled and angered plenty of supporters with his heavily rotated team selection as the Dutchman made 10 changes from the defeat at Brentford on Saturday and opted to change system to a defensive 5-4-1.
Despite Liverpool being in a wretched run of form, losing five of their last six games in all competitions, cup football appeared to be the ideal opportunity for the club’s underperforming first-team stars to regain some confidence and find some form.
However, Slot didn’t even name Giorgi Mamardashvili, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike in the matchday squad. While Alexander Isak, Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch all remain sidelined through injury it seems.
A bizarrely youthful side that had only a handful of recognised first-teamers in the starting line-up and a bench made up entirely of youngsters had it all to do to repay the faith their manager had placed in them, as the omitted first-teamers watched on from directly behind him, likely furious at seeing a chance at silverware disappear without a care.
But up against a relatively changed Palace team, with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Dean Henderson and Tyrick Mitchell dropping to the bench, Liverpool’s young guns didn’t look out of their depth early on and fought hard for every ball.
However, as the first-half went on, the stronger Eagles side grew and opened the scoring through Ismalia Sarr after Joe Gomez was poor in clearing his lines. The Senegal star continued his wonderful form this season with a second goal just minutes later, created and finished by himself.
Liverpool entered the break two goals down and comfortably second best. While it would have been the perfect moment to turn to the bench, Slot virtually didn’t name one with the subs completely unknown to anyone not clued up on the U21 and U18 sides. Meanwhile, Palace introduced Mateta for a struggling Eddie Nketiah.
The Reds had a bit more energy in their play, but still looked a level below a fitter, sharper, and overall better Palace side. The rain battering down with 20 minutes to go saw fans in the front rows leave their seats for shelter, but they might as well have been heading home early with Amara Nallo soon sent off.
A third goal for the visitors followed in the dying minutes when Yeremy Pino punished a sloppy turnover from Gomez.
Pressure is on Slot given Liverpool’s woeful form, but his shocking team selection and a half-arsed attempt to even win tonight’s game will have no doubt seen some of those fans in Anfield turn on him tonight. His decision to withdraw Mac Allister and Robertson with 67 minutes on the clock might as well have been throwing the towel in.
Fans inside Anfield must be wondering why they travelled and spent their hard-earned money to support a manager who seemingly didn’t care about the game.
Liverpool player ratings
Freddie Woodman: Called into action by a well-struck Will Hughes volley before distributing an accurate long kick to Chiesa. No chance to save any of the goals. 5.
Calvin Ramsay: Untidy while challenging Sarr and could have given a penalty away. The Scot is three weeks older than Conor Bradley, believe it or not. Desperate for a spark in his career and it wasn’t found tonight. 6.
Wataru Endo: Played a right centre-back and was completely bamboozled by Sarr for his second goal, allowing the Palace forward to run off him after stepping out of the backline. Overall very untidy. 4.
Joe Gomez: Didn’t sort his feet out in time and ultimately teed up Sarr to score the opener. Dragged out of position for Sarr’s second. The only recognised centre-back in the team, but he certainly didn’t look it. 4.
Andy Robertson: Captain of the side at centre-back. Slot looks as though he has it in for the Scots, given his lack of meaningful minutes and being stitched up to play in that role and this side tonight. 6.
Milos Kerkez: Only player in the squad to start against Brentford. Needs to find form, but it’s his ability to actually play and read the game which is more pressing currently. 5.
Alexis Mac Allister: Incredibly quiet, still looks unfit in what’s turning into a very difficult season for him. 5.
Trey Nyoni: No match for his opposition numbers, outdone physically and technically in and out of possession. Still only 18, but this was a step too far in his development. 4.
Rio Ngumoha: Can hold his head high and has done his chances of more regular first-time football no harm. 7.
Federico Chiesa: Saw the first sight of goal but shanked an effort over the bar. Liverpool’s liveliest player. Long overdue a Premier League start. 7.
Kieran Morrison: Endless running but final product lacking on his debut. Moments to build upon. 6.
Subs
Amara Nallo: Replaced Mac Allister on 67 minutes. Sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Two red cards in his only two senior appearances. 3.
Wellity Lucky: Brought on for Robertson on 67 minutes. Nothing of note. 5.
Kaide Gordon: Completed the triple change by replacing Morrison. A miscommunication with Chiesa would have given Liverpool their best chance of the second half if he took the initiative. 5.
Trent Kone-Doherty: Introduced in the 85th minute. N/A.
Daily Star Sunday
Liverpool were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round by Crystal Palace as Arne Slot bizarrely chose to heavily rotate his already confidence-hit Reds team
Liverpool endured more misery as Crystal Palace dumped the Reds out of the Carabao Cup with an embarrassingly easy 3-0 victory, and Arne Slot has been left incredibly red-faced.
Slot baffled and angered plenty of supporters with his heavily rotated team selection as the Dutchman made 10 changes from the defeat at Brentford on Saturday and opted to change system to a defensive 5-4-1.
Despite Liverpool being in a wretched run of form, losing five of their last six games in all competitions, cup football appeared to be the ideal opportunity for the club’s underperforming first-team stars to regain some confidence and find some form.
However, Slot didn’t even name Giorgi Mamardashvili, Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike in the matchday squad. While Alexander Isak, Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch all remain sidelined through injury it seems.
A bizarrely youthful side that had only a handful of recognised first-teamers in the starting line-up and a bench made up entirely of youngsters had it all to do to repay the faith their manager had placed in them, as the omitted first-teamers watched on from directly behind him, likely furious at seeing a chance at silverware disappear without a care.
But up against a relatively changed Palace team, with Jean-Philippe Mateta, Dean Henderson and Tyrick Mitchell dropping to the bench, Liverpool’s young guns didn’t look out of their depth early on and fought hard for every ball.
However, as the first-half went on, the stronger Eagles side grew and opened the scoring through Ismalia Sarr after Joe Gomez was poor in clearing his lines. The Senegal star continued his wonderful form this season with a second goal just minutes later, created and finished by himself.
Liverpool entered the break two goals down and comfortably second best. While it would have been the perfect moment to turn to the bench, Slot virtually didn’t name one with the subs completely unknown to anyone not clued up on the U21 and U18 sides. Meanwhile, Palace introduced Mateta for a struggling Eddie Nketiah.
The Reds had a bit more energy in their play, but still looked a level below a fitter, sharper, and overall better Palace side. The rain battering down with 20 minutes to go saw fans in the front rows leave their seats for shelter, but they might as well have been heading home early with Amara Nallo soon sent off.
A third goal for the visitors followed in the dying minutes when Yeremy Pino punished a sloppy turnover from Gomez.
Pressure is on Slot given Liverpool’s woeful form, but his shocking team selection and a half-arsed attempt to even win tonight’s game will have no doubt seen some of those fans in Anfield turn on him tonight. His decision to withdraw Mac Allister and Robertson with 67 minutes on the clock might as well have been throwing the towel in.
Fans inside Anfield must be wondering why they travelled and spent their hard-earned money to support a manager who seemingly didn’t care about the game.
Liverpool player ratings
Freddie Woodman: Called into action by a well-struck Will Hughes volley before distributing an accurate long kick to Chiesa. No chance to save any of the goals. 5.
Calvin Ramsay: Untidy while challenging Sarr and could have given a penalty away. The Scot is three weeks older than Conor Bradley, believe it or not. Desperate for a spark in his career and it wasn’t found tonight. 6.
Wataru Endo: Played a right centre-back and was completely bamboozled by Sarr for his second goal, allowing the Palace forward to run off him after stepping out of the backline. Overall very untidy. 4.
Joe Gomez: Didn’t sort his feet out in time and ultimately teed up Sarr to score the opener. Dragged out of position for Sarr’s second. The only recognised centre-back in the team, but he certainly didn’t look it. 4.
Andy Robertson: Captain of the side at centre-back. Slot looks as though he has it in for the Scots, given his lack of meaningful minutes and being stitched up to play in that role and this side tonight. 6.
Milos Kerkez: Only player in the squad to start against Brentford. Needs to find form, but it’s his ability to actually play and read the game which is more pressing currently. 5.
Alexis Mac Allister: Incredibly quiet, still looks unfit in what’s turning into a very difficult season for him. 5.
Trey Nyoni: No match for his opposition numbers, outdone physically and technically in and out of possession. Still only 18, but this was a step too far in his development. 4.
Rio Ngumoha: Can hold his head high and has done his chances of more regular first-time football no harm. 7.
Federico Chiesa: Saw the first sight of goal but shanked an effort over the bar. Liverpool’s liveliest player. Long overdue a Premier League start. 7.
Kieran Morrison: Endless running but final product lacking on his debut. Moments to build upon. 6.
Subs
Amara Nallo: Replaced Mac Allister on 67 minutes. Sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Two red cards in his only two senior appearances. 3.
Wellity Lucky: Brought on for Robertson on 67 minutes. Nothing of note. 5.
Kaide Gordon: Completed the triple change by replacing Morrison. A miscommunication with Chiesa would have given Liverpool their best chance of the second half if he took the initiative. 5.
Trent Kone-Doherty: Introduced in the 85th minute. N/A.
Daily Star Sunday