Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has slammed the criticism of Liverpool’s starting lineup against his side in the Carabao Cup.
Palace cruised past the Reds on Wednesday evening, winning 3-0 at Anfield, as Arne Slot‘s team lost a fifth domestic game in a row.
Slot has been criticised for his team selection, with Freddie Woodman and Kieran Morrison handed debuts and Liverpool’s substitutes having just nine senior appearances combined.
• READ: Arne Slot’s team selection “backfired spectacularly” – “These defeats are on him”
But speaking in his post-match press conference, Glasner said that the criticism was harsh, with the Reds still littered with quality even with so many changes.
“We saw Arne Slot’s decision and it is disrespectful to all their players [to say it was a weak team],” Glasner said.
“I have seen Joe Gomez win the Champions League and the Premier League with them; I have seen Wataru Endo play a lot of games for Japan; I have seen Alexis Mac Allister, he won the World Cup with Argentina.
“I have seen Kerkez, who cost £40 million; I have seen Chiesa, who has played for Italy.
“I think it would be disrespectful if we say that. Everyone who wears this [Liverpool] badge has quality.”
Slot’s balancing act
The reaction to Slot’s team selection was always going to be split, especially during a period in which wins are coming at a premium for Liverpool.
Ultimately, though, the Dutchman made the right decision in sacrificing the Carabao Cup for more important commitments, starting with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Had Slot played some of his big guns against Palace and they had picked up an injury or become fatigued, he would have been criticised for showing the competition too much respect.
Hopefully, key players being given the night off on Wednesday will give them a much-needed rest, both physically and mentally, ahead of a vital run of fixtures.
The upcoming games at home to Villa and Real Madrid, and away to Man City next Sunday, are huge, and if the Reds come through those matches well, Slot’s Palace team will be long forgotten.
More defeats will only increase the pressure on him, though, during what is comfortably the most testing period of his managerial career.
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