Arne Slot‘s decision to make 10 changes and name a bench full of academy players has turned up the pressure on Liverpool’s head coach after their 3-0 defeat.
Off the back of losing five of the last six games, Slot made sweeping changes for his side’s return to Anfield in the Carabao Cup, including naming two debutants.
Fourteen first-team regulars were not named in the squad against a near full strength Palace lineup, though they were all in attendance behind the bench to watch the latest defeat.
Slot explained pre-match that his choice was down to giving young players an opportunity while also giving his senior players a rest, but he has only seen the pressure mount.
Anfield emptied early and the club’s youth faced an impossible task, and with Liverpool hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening, there can be no excuses.
And supporters were quick to share their thoughts…
That result was always likely when you looked at the respective squads, and Slot will have known that. But it does put massive pressure on the Aston Villa game. Liverpool’s senior stars need to show they have benefitted from a week on the training pitch.
— Beth Lindop (@beth_lindop) October 29, 2025
Think that result and performance was baked in from the moment the teamsheets dropped here, and so it was a big call from Arne Slot to leave so many out. But it won't look like a smart decision if Liverpool don't see the benefits across the next three – a huge week coming up.
— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) October 29, 2025
Slot REALLY eroding the goodwill he built last season quickly. Tonight was really humbling.
— Paul Grech (@paul_grech) October 29, 2025
The fact they whole first team is just sitting there is even worse. They are actually at Anfield.
— Barry LFC O Sullivan (@NotoriousLFC) October 29, 2025
“Either this is a genius move by Slot fielding the team he did or a very poor decision. Next 3 games will tell us.” – Lamda Pi in TIA comments.
“No issues with the starting line up but given we are playing at home, I am not happy with the bench.
“I can understand given our recent struggles, this cup would be our least priority but completely giving up and not even having options on the bench is something that I did not expect and is completely unacceptable.” – Liv Red in TIA comments.
You can talk about rotation & players needing a rest, but another defeat here does nothing for morale. Different team, sure, but it doesn’t exactly build confidence heading into a huge week. It’s an awful habit to get into, and tonight felt like the easiest way to snap out of it.
— Keifer MacDonald (@KeiferMacD) October 29, 2025
If you’re going to completely throw away a cup competition like this, and waste the evening of 60 odd thousand people in the pouring rain, you better pray the players turn up on Saturday
— – (@lfcmike__) October 29, 2025
Just simply not good enough to be watching Liverpool like this, piss poor…. Feel sorry for some of them lads on the pitch!
— BenB (@BenBLFC) October 29, 2025
Even the calmest of fans are beginning to turn somewhat.
Nobody wants to experience this.
— Rory Greenfield (@RoryGreenfield) October 29, 2025
Not too bothered about exiting the Carabao Cup but Slot has taken a risk here with his team selection. This will ONLY be acceptable if we beat Villa on the weekend.
— Hass (@itsurboyhass) October 29, 2025
Regardless of the line up – losing is never good. Especially if it becomes a habit – and again at Anfield.
— Jay (@Jay82_LFC) October 29, 2025
By putting out this lineup and bench, Slot has made the game against Aston Villa this weekend even more of a must win than it was before.
Lose this weekend, and Slot will lose a lot of good faith with this fanbase.
— Felix Paterson ?????????? (@Felix_BHG_2002) October 29, 2025
It’s nuts how our depth just disappeared and I’m not talking about tonight. Every week our attacking subs are Chiesa and Rio. They weren’t even making benches last season
— Sean (@SeanDOlfc) October 29, 2025
The thing for me is, people have paid full price to see a 3rd team. Not even a reserve team. I know it’s the Carabao cup but don’t agree with his selection at all and that’s how managers lose the fans. Crazy when you think where we were a couple of months ago.
— Nick Collins (@Nick___Collins) October 29, 2025
The only thing I will say about that team and even weaker bench tonight is, if you’re resting them all, then Saturday is absolutely must win with zero excuses.
— Stephen Evans (@StephenEvans75) October 29, 2025
Honestly, it's absolutely mindless rolling out that squad tonight in the context of our season. Fair enough if we've been playing well but this team need to click.
— Robert (@KopData) October 29, 2025
The fans have done all that's asked of them. Turned up and still singing 3-0 down.
This team was thrown into the lions den from Arne. Lose to Villa and it could be curtains.
— WAZ (@Waz612) October 29, 2025
You can debate both sides of the argument when it came to Slot’s team selection; firstly, that he is aware of the three huge games on the horizon, but equally that a win was incredibly valuable considering the current run of form.
Ultimately, for many, it was simply fielding a team because he had to, not because the intent was to win, and who knows what knock-on effect that could have on the youngsters involved.
All it does now is pile the pressure on getting a positive result against Aston Villa, and the matches that follow against Real Madrid and Man City.
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