Arne Slot believes his decision to rotate his squad in the FA Cup could now work in Liverpool’s favor as they push for Premier League success.
The Liverpool manager hopes his controversial team selection against Plymouth Argyle—where he rested key players in a 1-0 defeat—will ultimately benefit his side as they aim to solidify their lead at the top of the table. The Reds face Aston Villa on Wednesday, knowing that a win would put them 10 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who still have a game in hand.
This fixture marks the halfway point of a crucial five-game stretch within just 15 days. Liverpool already drew 2-2 against Everton last Wednesday and secured a 2-1 win over Wolves on Sunday. Up next, they travel to reigning champions Manchester City before hosting Newcastle United three days later.
Slot faced intense backlash for making wholesale changes to his squad for the FA Cup fourth-round match at Plymouth, with 11 regular starters left out. Despite concerns over fatigue, he insists his players are handling the demanding schedule well.
“When picking a lineup, many factors come into play,” Slot explained. “You consider how Villa plays, the number of games we have, and whether the players were genuinely tired against Wolves or just covered a lot of ground.”
He acknowledged that the emotionally and physically draining Merseyside derby against Everton had taken its toll, adding, “That’s why I didn’t play them at Plymouth—to ensure they were ready for this run of five consecutive games.”
Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo could return in time for the Manchester City clash, while Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Curtis Jones is available again after serving a suspension.
Liverpool may also face Marcus Rashford, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United and has a strong scoring record against the Reds.
Discussing Rashford’s form, Slot said, “Sometimes, when a player moves to a new club or a new manager arrives, their performance improves. Rashford is one of England’s top attackers when he’s at his best. Antony is another example—he’s doing well at Betis. United have had plenty of quality players over the years, some proving themselves at the club and others flourishing elsewhere.”
Leave a Reply