Overview
- A rotated Liverpool side lost 3-0 at Anfield to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, with Arne Slot defending ten changes by citing fatigue and a limited pool of senior players.
- The champions have dropped six of their last seven in all competitions, including four straight league defeats, with another loss risking their first run of five league defeats since 1953.
- Saturday’s Aston Villa match at Anfield starts at 8pm after TNT Sports’ selection and a Rugby League Ashes test in the city ruled out earlier slots and Sunday was unavailable due to rest rules.
- Ryan Gravenberch has a good chance to return, and senior starters such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah are expected to be recalled after resting in midweek.
- Betfair moved Slot to near the top of the next‑manager‑to‑leave market, though local reports say the club is not planning a change, and outside links to potential replacements remain unconfirmed speculation.