Liverpool on Wednesday crashed out of the Carabao Cup as Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win in the fourth round added to the mounting crisis at Anfield.
At Anfield, Ismaila Sarr struck twice in the first half and Yeremy Pino grabbed the third to condemn Arne Slot’s side to a sixth defeat in their past seven games in all competitions.
Slot fielded a weakened team as he prioritized Liverpool’s crucial games against Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City over the next two weeks.
Photo: AFP
However, it was still another embarrassing result for Liverpool, coming hot on the heels of a 3-2 loss at Brentford on Saturday that further dented their spluttering Premier League title defense.
The Reds have lost their past four league matches and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points.
“It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” Slot said. “But it’s only two days to rest, play the next one, then only two days’ rest, play Real Madrid and then a few days more for Man City.”
“Everyone can have his opinion about it, but with the squad we are having maybe 15, 16 first-team players available, this is the choice I’ve made,” he said. “The pressure was already very high for the upcoming week where we again have to face three very difficult teams.”
Assailed by criticism of their defensive failings and the poor form of blockbuster summer signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s fall from grace has been stunning.
Isak, Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were all absent as Slot made 10 changes and fielded teenagers Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni.
It was a gamble that never looked like working and FA Cup holders Palace have now defeated Liverpool three times in 80 days.
They beat the Reds on penalties in the Community Shield and 2-1 in the Premier League.
Slot switched to a back three in a bid to revitalize Liverpool, but the move backfired when Joe Gomez’s mistake allowed Sarr to rifle home from 12 yards (11m) in the 41st minute.
Senegal winger Sarr increased Palace’s lead on the stroke of halftime, netting from Pino’s pass in front of the shell-shocked Kop.
Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute for a professional foul on Justin Devenny.
Pino slotted in Palace’s third in the 88th minute to book a last eight trip to Arsenal.
Holders Newcastle United dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, Arsenal beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0, Manchester City came back to down second-tier Swansea City 3-1 and Chelsea edged past Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-3 in other fourth-round ties.
Additional reporting by Reuters
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