Liverpool’s poor form carried on Wednesday night as the defending Premier League champions crashed out of the Carabao Cup, losing 3–0 to Crystal Palace in the last-16.
The defeat means Arne Slot’s team have now lost six of their last seven matches. Goals from Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino sealed Palace’s third consecutive win over Liverpool this season.
Despite including several senior players who have struggled for minutes, Slot filled his squad with youth, selecting eight teenagers — three of whom started. Freddie Woodman replaced Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, Wataru Endo, Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson formed a back-three, and Federico Chiesa led the line in what was only his second start of the campaign.
However, much of the frustration from fans focused on the midfield, where the only experienced player on the pitch failed to impress.
Alexis Mac Allister criticised after Liverpool 0–3 Palace
Slot partnered 18-year-old Trey Nyoni with Alexis Mac Allister in holding midfield, but the Argentina international drew heavy criticism from supporters online.
One post on X compared him to Fabinho in his final season, claiming Mac Allister “has fallen off a cliff” and looks too slow. Another said watching him this year “has just been sad,” while a third added: “He’s only 26 and it already looks like his legs have gone.”
Mac Allister played 67 minutes before being substituted for 18-year-old Amara Nallo, who was sent off just 12 minutes later after a last-man challenge on Justin Devenny.
Statistically, Mac Allister completed 89% of his passes, had 72 touches, lost possession 12 times, won two of five ground duels, and failed to connect with any of his four crosses.
Wednesday’s match was his 13th appearance of the season, but only his eighth start. After limited involvement early in the season — including a substitute appearance in the recent 3-2 loss to Brentford — he now faces pressure to prove to Slot that he can still perform at the required level.
Liverpool are winless in four Premier League games and next face an in-form Aston Villa on Saturday before a tough stretch against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City on 9 November.
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