If Arne Slot go collect any small praise at all from this sixth defeat inside seven games for Liverpool, e go be say the man no shake — e stick to him plan. Even as pressure dey mount like mountain on top him head, the Dutch coach still no use panic button.
Instead of rushing to play him full first XI just to save face, he decide say na mixture of young boys and fringe players go handle the EFL Cup tie like normal early round fixture. Bold move, but risky one.
Crystal Palace on the other hand no dey play. Dem bring almost full senior squad, and e show well for the scoreline — 3-0 clean beating inside Anfield.
Nobody shock. Palace don already knack Liverpool three times this season, so this one just be continuation. But make we talk true — Slot decision no go really dey judged by this result.
The real verdict go come within the next 11 days, when Liverpool go face Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City back-to-back. Na those matches go decide whether this “rest strategy” make sense or na pure gamble wey go backfire.
Slot dey hope say by resting stars like Salah, Van Dijk, and Szoboszlai, dem go get better chance to win those bigger matches. If that one work, people go hail am as smart coach wey sabi plan long-term.
But if Liverpool still lose those key games, then this EFL Cup exit go look like pure waste — throwaway chance to lift trophy, collect nothing back. And that kind thing fit even increase the pressure wey already dey pile on him position.
“Blessing in Disguise” or Just Another Wahala for Arne Slot?
The truth be say this Liverpool 0-3 loss to Crystal Palace no too hard to understand. From the moment wey the team sheets drop, everybody know say the result don almost settle.
Palace only make five changes and still play plenty of their regulars — strong lineup wey balance experience with energy. Liverpool on the other hand make 10 changes, fill the bench with academy players, and even rest all the big names. E no surprise say dem play like confused team wey no get rhythm.
Palace take full advantage, control the game, and collect their third win over Liverpool this same season. But maybe — just maybe — this exit go still turn blessing in disguise.
Liverpool schedule don tight anyhow, and with injuries plus poor form, Slot probably just use this defeat buy himself more breathing space. No more midweek fixtures, no more Cup distractions — na focus straight on Premier League and Champions League now.
Still, everything rest on how dem perform for the next three games. If Liverpool bounce back and collect results, fans go call this move strategic.
But if dem still fumble, then Slot go stand alone for firing line — no trophy, no form, and no excuse. One way or another, the next few weeks go tell whether this gamble na smart move or career suicide for the new boss.
