Liverpool’s League Cup journey came to an end on Wednesday with Crystal Palace securing a 3-0 victory in the fourth round, exacerbating the crisis at Anfield. Ismaila Sarr scored twice in the first half, and Yeremy Pino added a third goal, handing Arne Slot’s team their sixth defeat in seven recent matches across all competitions.
Slot opted for a weakened lineup, focusing on upcoming crucial fixtures against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City. Despite this strategy, Liverpool suffered another disappointing loss following their recent defeat against Brentford, further denting their Premier League title defense.
The team has faced a series of setbacks, including four consecutive league defeats, trailing Arsenal by seven points. Slot defended his team selection, citing the limited availability of key players and the intense schedule of matches ahead against tough opponents.
Criticism has mounted against Liverpool for defensive lapses and the underperformance of notable summer signings like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. In the match against Palace, Liverpool made 10 changes, introducing young talents like Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha, and Trey Nyoni, but the gamble failed to pay off.
Palace, who previously defeated Liverpool in the Community Shield and the Premier League, emerged victorious once again. Sarr capitalized on a mistake by Joe Gomez to open the scoring, with Pino extending the lead before Nallo’s red card and Pino’s second goal sealed the win for Palace.
In other League Cup results, holders Newcastle defeated Tottenham 2-0, setting up a quarter-final clash with Fulham. Manchester City staged a comeback to beat Swansea 3-1, earning a quarter-final matchup against Brentford. Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory over Brighton, while Chelsea’s understudies claimed a 4-3 win against Wolves, advancing to face Cardiff in the next round.