Slot defends selection policy after Carabao Cup exit
Arne Slot says every Liverpool game is a "must-win" after the pressure was cranked up on the Reds by their 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Ismaila Sarr scored twice late on in the first half at Anfield before Yeremy Pino rounded out the win after youngster Amara Nallo was sent off for the second time in as many competitive matches for Liverpool.
It was the sixth defeat Liverpool has suffered in its past seven competitive matches, a run that coincidentally started with a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace.
Liverpool next faces Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City either side of a huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid before the international break.
Asked whether the contest with Villa is "must-win", Slot replied: "Every Liverpool game is a must-win."
Despite his side's recent struggles, Slot opted to name a youthful-looking Liverpool side interspersed with those on the periphery of the squad.
Slot said that it was a decision he simply had to make given the congested fixture list they are facing.
"It's not of Liverpool's standards to lose five out of six, it's not of Liverpool's standards to lose six out of seven, so it (the pressure) might increase a little bit but not so much because the pressure was already high for the upcoming week where again we have to face three very difficult teams," he said.
"But now maybe the good thing is for the first time we can do this in eight days, whereas all the other days it was in seven days.
"We have a game tonight, only two days' rest, play another one, only two days' rest, and then a few days more for Man City.
"Everyone can have their opinion on it (the line-up), but with the squad we are having, 15 or 16 first-team players available, this is the choice I have made."
