Liverpool Plans Heavy Rotation Against Crystal Palace in Carabao Cup Amid Premier League Struggles

Liverpool is currently facing a crisis with four consecutive Premier League defeats and five losses in six games across all competitions, putting pressure on manager Arne Slot to make significant changes for their Carabao Cup match against Crystal Palace. Slot is expected to rotate the squad, resting underperforming senior players like Mohamed Salah, who has struggled this season, and giving opportunities to fringe and younger players such as Calvin Ramsay and Freddie Woodman, the latter potentially making his competitive debut as goalkeeper. Defensive issues are a major concern, with injuries and inconsistent performances forcing reliance on players like Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson over less settled options like Milos Kerkez. Slot has been criticized for trying to fix multiple problems simultaneously rather than prioritizing defensive solidity and restructuring the midfield to a more stable formation. The Carabao Cup fixture offers a chance to arrest Liverpool's slump and experiment with squad depth amid a busy schedule and injury challenges. Ramsay, in particular, is seen as being in a "last chance saloon" to prove himself and secure a more permanent role in the team, highlighting Liverpool's need to find reliable alternatives at key positions.