Overview
- Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven matches included a 3-0 home loss to Crystal Palace that ended their Carabao Cup run, with Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City up next in a widely viewed test of the manager’s prospects.
- Betting markets moved sharply, with Slot quoted at 4/1 as second favourite by talkSPORT BET and cut from 28/1 to 5/2 by Betfair within 24 hours, behind only Wolves’ Vitor Pereira.
- Slot defended fielding a youthful, heavily rotated side by citing fatigue, a pool of only 15–16 available first‑team players, and Liverpool’s tradition of using early domestic cup rounds for squad players.
- Pundits including Jamie Redknapp and Stephen Warnock criticised his public explanations and team selection, warning that repeated “excuses” risk eroding player confidence.
- Despite spending reported at over $500m–$600m in the summer, analysis highlights depth and integration issues as injuries persist, with Alisson back in training but Giorgi Mamardashvili expected to start, Alexander Isak still recovering, and Ryan Gravenberch rated to have a good chance of returning.