Liverpool lost again, this time 3-0 to Crystal Palace, on another substandard night for the first team, and an unfortunate one for the young players asked to come into a team in this state.
Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace
Carabao Cup 4th Round | Anfield
October 29, 2025
Goals: Sarr 41′, 45′, Pino 88′
Freddie Woodman – 5 (out of 10)
Might have hoped for more solidity in front of him with the back three in place, and couldn’t do much about the goals once Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino had found themselves in good positions.
Other than that, he made a few routine saves in each half as Palace had nine shots on target to Liverpool’s one.
Largely unfussy with his passing. Short around the back when needed, and cleared when needed. Set up a couple of chances with his long passes.
Calvin Ramsay – 6
It was his first game for Liverpool’s first team in almost three years, and he did OK given the circumstances.
Looked reasonably comfortable when dropping into midfield and dragged a shot wide left-footed.
Perhaps the only new player in the lineup who it might be intriguing to see in the main team.
Wataru Endo – 3
Let Pino in behind him ahead of a chance for Hughes, and lost Sarr for the second Palace goal.
Has played centre-back plenty of times before in his career, but looked out of position and out of sorts.
Moved into midfield in the second half and looked more at home, but was unable to impact the game positively.
Joe Gomez – 3
Tasked with organising this new-look back line, Liverpool’s longest-serving current player struggled, just as those he was deputising for have before him this season.
Slightly unfortunate deflection off him for the opening goal, but there was no commanding presence in the defence. Gomez needed to be it and wasn’t.
Andy Robertson – 4
Operated on the left of a back three and looked as uncomfortable as his fellow defenders out of possession.
Made a few good passes on the ball and at least looked like he had the determination to make something happen, but struggled to do so from this position.
Milos Kerkez – 3
Looked more tentative than some of the younger players, which is perhaps a reminder that he is still the same age as Kaide Gordon.
Needs a confidence building performance but couldn’t find one here, but who could?
Trey Nyoni – 4
Looked the player with the potential to take control of the game for Liverpool, but couldn’t find the right positions to do so.
The two-man midfield wasn’t enough to protect the back line, and Nyoni might have been more effective as a deep-lying player with two teammates either side of him.
Uses his frame well to get in good positions in tight spaces and find teammates, but didn’t use it enough in defence.
Should have closed down Daichi Kamada quicker ahead of the first Palace goal, as the midfielder had all day to play a pass into the Liverpool box.
Alexis Mac Allister – 3
Has gone from the best midfielder in the country to one who is bypassed by much of the game. Offered nothing defensively and couldn’t get anything going in attack.
On top of this, he was lucky not to get booked for an early foul on Sarr.
Needed to be one of the senior players who led the team, but isn’t at the required level currently.
Kieran Morrison – 4
Rewarded for a good recent performance against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Youth League with a start in the Carabao Cup.
A good outlet and a willing runner, but not effective enough when he had moments on the ball.
Unfortunate to be making his debut in these circumstances.
Rio Ngumoha – 5
Very direct from his position on the left wing. Regularly driving at his marker before looking for a shot or passing inside.
One early effort curled just wide of the post.
Might have made a better decision when presented with chances to play in Kerkez or Chiesa earlier during one attack.
Both young wingers lacked a bit in the decision-making department, which is to be expected, but Ngumoha was the best of a bad bunch in attack.
Federico Chiesa – 4
Broke behind the Palace defence midway through the first half from a long clearance from Robertson, but sent his shot high and wide at the Anfield Road end.
Didn’t have the pace to offer an outlet in behind or the presence and physicality to hold the ball up.
Overall Team Performance – 3
Substitutes
Wellity Lucky (on for Robertson, 67′) – N/A
Amara Nallo (on for Mac Allister, 67′) – 2
Given a poor pass from his fellow substitute Lucky and couldn’t deal with it. A pull on the shirt of Devenny was only ever going to end in a red card.
Kaide Gordon (on for Morrison, 67′) – 5
As expected, the 21-year-old looked more at the level than the teammate he replaced and showed some promising touches in the time he was given.
Trent Kone-Doherty (on for Ngumoha, 86′) – N/A
Subs not used: Pecsi, Pinnington, Pilling, Laffey, Figueroa
Arne Slot – 2
Went with a 3-4-3 formation in an attempt to freshen things up, but it left Liverpool light in midfield and disorganised at the back.
Gave a few young players opportunities, but in this situation it won’t have done their confidence much good.
Was unable to add much from the bench, given the one he chose was made up of players from the youth teams.
Will he be wishing he’d have gone with a stronger lineup, or just be glad not to have to think about this competition anymore?
What could have been a chance to build some confidence ended up denting it further.
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