Tension continues to rise at Liverpool as head coach Arne Slot faces one of the most difficult stretches of his tenure. The Dutchman has decided not to hold a pre-match press conference ahead of the club’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Crystal Palace — an unusual move that highlights the turbulent moment the Reds are going through.

Breaking the Routine

Liverpool enters the midweek fixture in the midst of a storm. The defending Carabao Cup champions have suffered four consecutive Premier League defeats, falling seven points behind leaders Arsenal, and also endured a painful Champions League loss to Galatasaray.

Fully aware of the crisis, Slot has chosen to focus solely on tactical preparation and limit public appearances. While Premier League managers are not contractually obliged to speak before domestic cup matches, The Sun reports that every other coach involved in this round will address the media — except Slot.

A Recent Precedent

This isn’t the first time Slot has skipped pre-match duties in this competition. He also avoided the press before Liverpool’s third-round win over Southampton, though that absence was due to his attendance at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, alongside several of his players.

This time, however, the situation is far more serious. Under mounting pressure and with Liverpool struggling for form, Slot is seeking to shield the squad from distractions and criticism. Last season, the Dutchman spoke before each of the club’s six Carabao Cup fixtures, a run that ended with a final loss to Newcastle United.

Injuries and Uncertainty

The upcoming clash against Crystal Palace — who already beat Liverpool 2-1 in the league last month — will be a crucial test. Fans are demanding a strong response, but Slot’s options are limited.

Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni have all been ruled out, while Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch, and Curtis Jones remain doubtful due to fitness concerns.

Reports suggest that a senior player will speak to the media in Slot’s place, as the club looks to maintain communication while keeping the manager and squad fully focused on turning things around at Anfield.