This might be unchartered territory for Arne Slot but, with Liverpool, there is always a reference point – even when the roof is falling in.
Plenty will have wondered why Slot was content to play Russian Roulette with Liverpool’s chances of winning a trophy but he isn’t the first manager to spin the barrel at Anfield and, quite probably, he won’t be the last either.
It might have slipped your mind that Jurgen Klopp gave his blessing to what was effectively an Academy team being selected for an FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury. There was outrage, as Klopp and many of his senior players went on holiday. Liverpool, coached by Neil Critchley, won 1-0 against the odds. The joy was unbridled.
Assuming anything in football, then, is dangerous. Slot, certainly, would have bristled at the idea he had walked blindfolded into the bookmakers when choosing his line-up to combat Crystal Palace. The argument would have been the 11 starters featured internationals from Hungary, England, Scotland, Japan, Italy and Argentina, plus two promising teenagers.
Slot’s problem, though, was the fact he told the world where his priorities lay. The League Cup has given Liverpool so many great days down the years – 15 final appearances, 11 wins – but, this season, it was another pain at a time when the manager is trying to shift a migraine.
So all the big hitters were given a night off ahead of Aston Villa’s visit on Saturday, not even asked to sit on the bench in case they were needed to pull off a rescue act. You knew as soon as Ismaila Sarr scored the first of his two goals that Crystal Palace would be progressing – and they did so with comfort.
Arne Slot suffered his six defeat in seven matches as Liverpool lost 3-0 on Wednesday night
Crystal Palace came to Anfield and won with ease, knocking the hosts out of the Carabao Cup
The Liverpool boss left his big hitters out of the squad and instead named a second-string team
Perhaps there is an element within the club who can do without the League Cup; the abject performance in the final against Newcastle in March lives long in the memory, as does the muted atmosphere from the fans who arrived at Wembley thinking all they had to do was turn up to win.
They got what they deserved that day and they got exactly what they deserved against Palace, too. The sight of swathes of empty red seats, as Oliver Glasner’s men exuded total command and authority (this must be the greatest spell in their history?) was chastening and another indication of where Liverpool currently lumber.
And this brings us to another reference point. Season 2014-15 will seem a long time ago to many but there are, increasingly, comparisons that can be made between then and now, from the team’s horrid form to the remarkable recruitment drive that took place in the summer.
Liverpool, having finished second in the previous campaign, went for broke. They sold Luis Suarez and brought in – in no particular order – Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, Divock Origi and Lazar Markovic. Moves for Toni Kroos, Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy failed.
The flux in the squad was enormous and, try as he might, Brendan Rodgers couldn’t find a way of getting consistent form. They lost seven of their first 16 matches and pressure was going through the roof after a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, which preceded a trip to the Bernabeu.
Back in the Champions League after a five-year hiatus, Real Madrid away was the game everyone connected with the club looked at as the one around which they could declare ‘we are back!’ but Rodgers, given the circumstances, saw things differently. Chelsea at home was a bigger deal.
His teamsheet became infamous, with Steven Gerrard, Phillipe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Raheem, Sterling among a raft of names left out. The makeshift team Rodgers selected acquitted itself well, only being separated from Real by a Karim Benzema goal, but the damage went further.
Rodgers effectively put himself in the firing line, prioritising Premier League points over European prestige. It backfired because Chelsea came to Anfield and as their then manager Jose Mourinho cuttingly said, they played a game without drama. Liverpool lost 2-1.
Potential matchwinners Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak weren’t even named on the bench
Liverpool’s disastrous form of late has almost been reminiscent of the post-Luis Suarez era
After selling Suarez, Liverpool splashed out on an enormous glut of stars – and Brendan Rodgers (above) couldn’t find a way of getting consistent form during the 2014-15 season
Crystal Palace at home in the League Cup and Real Madrid away in the Champions League are different orbits but where things are the same for Slot and Rodgers is that a weakened team in midweek has ramped up the stakes for the following weekend.
Liverpool’s current run of form is scarcely believable but they simply cannot allow it get any worse when Villa arrive.
Will it come good? You would be a fool to say it will with conviction. Liverpool have only kept one clean sheet at Anfield, in all competitions, in the last 12 matches (Arsenal on August 31) and they look less equipped to deal with raiders entering their home than security guards in The Louvre.
Slot must put a halt to this. Nobody is saying his job is easy but, with every fumble, the beam of the spotlight on him shines a little bit stronger. A routine night against Palace wouldn’t have cured all the problems but it would have released some pressure.
Instead, all that’s happened is the situation has ramped up. He dare not lose again against Villa. Not now. Not after this.
