Liverpool manager Arne Slot defended his decision to field a significantly altered team following their 3-0 League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, which worsened the Reds’ dire form.
The Premier
League champions have now lost six out of their last seven games in all competitions, including their last four league matches.
Slot’s priorities were evident before the match as he made ten changes, excluding key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah entirely from the squad.
A youthful lineup was easily overcome by Palace, who have now defeated Liverpool three times this season.
Ismaila Sarr scored twice in the first half, and Yeremy Pino added a third late in the game after Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off.
“It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” said Slot, justifying his team selection with a challenging week ahead.
Liverpool will look to end their Premier League losing streak against in-form Aston Villa on Saturday.
Real Madrid will visit Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Manchester City on November 9.
“I couldn’t have put the regular first-team players in a situation where they face a week like this.
“We have a game tonight, then only two days to rest before the next one, another two days to rest before Real Madrid, and then a few more days before Manchester City.
“Everyone can have their 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 Palace have more silverware in sight but face a tough draw away to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Maresca slams Liam Delap
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca criticised Liam Delap for a “stupid” and “embarrassing” red card in their 4-3 win at Wolves in the League Cup fourth round on Wednesday.
Delap was sent off after receiving two yellow cards within seven minutes of coming on as a substitute for his first appearance since August.
The first booking was for wrestling Yerson Mosquera to the ground, and the second followed a reckless aerial challenge on Emmanuel Agbadou.
It was Chelsea’s sixth red card in nine games this season, and Maresca was furious with his striker, who will now miss Saturday’s crucial London derby at Tottenham after just returning from a lengthy hamstring injury.
“Today we had a very stupid red card, completely unnecessary; it was a stupid foul, avoidable,” Maresca said.
“I completely understand red cards against Brighton and Manchester United being difficult, but the red cards against Nottingham and today’s were avoidable.
“It’s embarrassing when it’s a red card like today’s. Embarrassing, two yellow cards in seven minutes. Both avoidable.
“After the first yellow card, I told him four or five times to ‘keep calm,’ but he probably plays the game for himself and struggles to listen around him.”
Delap’s dismissal slightly overshadowed Chelsea’s dramatic progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face third-tier Cardiff.
Goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, and Estevao gave Chelsea a 3-0 lead by half-time against the Premier League’s bottom club.
Tolu Arokodare and David Wolfe reduced the deficit before Jamie Gittens’ 90th-minute goal seemed to secure Chelsea’s win.
Wolfe scored again moments later as Wolves continued to press, but Chelsea held on despite Delap’s red card.
(With AFP Inputs)
