Liverpool’s Carabao Cup journey came to a shocking end on Wednesday night as Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield, booking their place in the quarter-finals. The result left fans frustrated and questioning manager Arne Slot’s surprising team selection, which saw several senior stars rested in favour of a largely second-string lineup.
The defeat marks another low point in Liverpool’s recent slump, as they have now lost six of their last seven matches across all competitions. With morale dipping and performances faltering, Slot faces mounting pressure to turn things around when the Reds host Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.
Team Selection Sparks Debate
Before a ball was kicked, eyebrows were raised across the Kop when Arne Slot unveiled his starting eleven. The Dutch coach made 10 changes from Liverpool’s previous game, opting to rest big names such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Instead, Slot handed opportunities to several fringe players and academy youngsters, including Freddie Woodman and Kieran Morrison, who were both making their first senior appearances. The bench was also packed with inexperienced players, signaling that the manager was prioritizing fitness and rotation over immediate results.
Slot explained after the match that some senior players were managing “minor knocks” and that Liverpool have traditionally used the Carabao Cup to give minutes to developing players. However, the decision backfired spectacularly as Crystal Palace, who came into the tie winless in four games, took full advantage of a weakened Reds side.
Crystal Palace Dominate from the Start
Despite Liverpool’s energetic start, Crystal Palace quickly took control of the game. The visitors looked sharper, more composed, and far more threatening in attack. It didn’t take long for Ismaila Sarr to make his mark—something Liverpool fans have unfortunately become familiar with this season.
Midway through the first half, Sarr pounced on a loose ball after Milos Kerkez failed to clear his lines and calmly slotted past Woodman to give Palace the lead. The goal completely shifted the momentum of the match, with Liverpool struggling to regain composure.
Just before halftime, Palace doubled their advantage with a beautifully worked move. Yeremy Pino, who was outstanding all night, slipped a clever reverse pass through the Liverpool defense, and Sarr was on hand once again to finish clinically.
That goal marked Sarr’s fourth strike against Liverpool this season—having already found the net in the Community Shield, Premier League, and a penalty shootout at Wembley earlier in the campaign. The Senegalese forward has firmly established himself as a nemesis for the Reds this season.
A Night to Forget for Liverpool
After going two goals down, Liverpool needed a quick response in the second half. But instead of rallying, the team looked disjointed and short of ideas. Their attacks were predictable and lacked the cutting edge that the likes of Salah or Diogo Jota would normally provide.
The frustration was evident on the pitch. Federico Chiesa, one of the few senior figures in the lineup, became visibly agitated after several misplaced passes and limited service from midfield. He was booked following a heated altercation with Justin Devenny, summing up Liverpool’s irritation and lack of control.
To make matters worse, Yeremy Pino capped off his superb display with a goal of his own in the 82nd minute. The Spanish winger collected the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside, and curled a delightful effort into the top corner, leaving Woodman with no chance. The strike sealed a 3-0 victory and underlined Palace’s total dominance at Anfield.
Youngsters’ Debut Amid the Disappointment
While the defeat was painful, there were a few personal highlights for Liverpool’s youngsters. Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and 18-year-old midfielder Kieran Morrison both made their first senior appearances for the club. Despite the result, the debutants handled themselves with composure and showed flashes of potential.
However, those small positives will do little to ease the growing concern among supporters. For a club that takes pride in its depth and academy development, this performance exposed worrying gaps between the senior squad and the backups.
Liverpool’s Worrying Form Continues
This latest defeat extends Liverpool’s poor run to six losses in their last seven matches, an alarming statistic for a team that was competing for multiple trophies earlier in the season.
The Reds have now crashed out of one domestic competition and look a shadow of the side that began the campaign strongly. Their defense appears fragile, their midfield lacks cohesion, and their attack is struggling to convert chances—especially when key players are rested.
Fans who had hoped this fixture would provide a morale boost instead left Anfield drenched and disappointed. As one supporter put it after the game, “This isn’t just about one match—it’s about a team that’s losing its rhythm and belief.”
Palace’s Perfect Night
For Crystal Palace, this was a statement performance. Manager Oliver Glasner set his team up brilliantly, pressing aggressively and exploiting Liverpool’s weaknesses at the back.
Sarr’s double and Pino’s late goal were the highlights, but the entire Palace squad deserved credit for their discipline, work rate, and clinical finishing. The win not only sends them into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals but also ends their four-game winless streak in emphatic style.
The Eagles will now look forward to the next round with renewed confidence, while also hoping to carry this momentum into their Premier League campaign.
Pressure Mounting on Arne Slot
The honeymoon period for Arne Slot appears to be over. Since taking charge, the Dutchman has emphasized tactical flexibility and squad rotation, but the results haven’t matched his ambitions.
His decision to heavily rotate the squad in a knockout match has drawn criticism, with many fans and pundits arguing that Liverpool should have fielded a stronger lineup to regain confidence.
With Aston Villa visiting Anfield next in the Premier League, Slot will be under immense pressure to deliver a positive result. A defeat there could further increase scrutiny over his tactics, selections, and handling of the squad.
