Liverpool manager Arne Slot is under mounting pressure after his much-rotated side suffered a 3–0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 — the Reds’ sixth loss in their last seven matches, ijobasportsnews.com reports.
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Slot took a major gamble with his selection, making 10 changes from the team that lost 3–2 to Brentford at the weekend. His youthful line-up featured three teenagers in the starting XI and five more on the bench, none older than 21.
However, the move backfired as Ismaila Sarr struck twice in four minutes late in the first half, punishing sloppy Liverpool defending. Yeremy Pino added a late third to cap off a miserable night at Anfield.
With senior players Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike all unavailable, the Reds lacked both leadership and creativity.
Liverpool’s best chances fell to Federico Chiesa, but the Italian forward failed to convert, firing one effort over and forcing a fine save from Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
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Defensive errors compounded Liverpool’s woes, as Joe Gomez’s misplaced clearance led to Sarr’s opener. Moments later, the Senegalese winger doubled Palace’s lead after being left unmarked to finish from Pino’s pass.
The night went from bad to worse when 18-year-old defender Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute for a last-man foul on Justin Devenny, before Pino’s curling effort sealed a famous win for the Eagles.
The result adds to a worrying run for Slot, whose side — reigning Premier League champions — now face a difficult schedule ahead. Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday, welcome Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, and then travel to face Manchester City on November 9.