Liverpool’s hopes of progressing in the Carabao Cup ended with a 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace as Arne Slot’s heavily altered line-up struggled to cope at Anfield.
The Reds’ boss, who made ten changes from the team that lost at Brentford, entrusted three teenagers from the start and filled his bench with more academy talent. Yet, the young group was undone by two quick-fire goals from Ismaila Sarr before the interval, and a late strike from Yeremy Pino sealed the result.
Slot’s decision to rest several first-team regulars — including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Dominik Szoboszlai — backfired as Palace punished a makeshift back line. It was Liverpool’s sixth defeat in seven matches and marked another low point in a difficult stretch of fixtures.
Federico Chiesa came closest for the hosts, firing one attempt over the bar and forcing a save from Walter Benitez, but otherwise Liverpool rarely threatened.
Sarr and Pino punish defensive lapses
Palace took control late in the first half, capitalizing on Liverpool’s defensive errors. Joe Gomez’s misplaced pass gifted Sarr the opening goal, and moments later the Senegalese forward doubled his tally after collecting Pino’s through ball and finishing with ease.
The visitors’ third came in the closing minutes when Pino curled a precise shot into the corner, finishing off a dominant display from Oliver Glasner’s side.
Liverpool’s night worsened when 18-year-old Amara Nallo was dismissed for denying a clear scoring chance as Justin Devenny broke through on goal. Reduced to ten men, Slot’s men could only watch as Palace confidently managed the closing stages.
Palace’s win booked them a quarter-final trip to Arsenal, continuing a strong run under Glasner that has included recent victories over the same opponents in both the Community Shield and the league.
Young talents show glimpses amid defeat
Despite the scoreline, 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was one of few positives for Liverpool. Operating mainly from the left flank, he drew applause from the home crowd with his direct runs and composure on the ball.
Ngumoha, who made headlines earlier in the season as Liverpool’s youngest Premier League scorer, looked sharp and fearless against seasoned Palace defenders. However, his energy could not lift the overall performance of a side lacking cohesion and experience.
Kieran Morrison and Trey Nyoni also started in midfield but found it difficult to impose themselves as Palace’s senior players dictated the tempo. Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, and Gomez were all used in central defensive roles, but the back line looked disjointed in the wet Anfield conditions.
Palace extend dominance over Reds
For Palace, this latest triumph marked a third successive win over Liverpool in as many months. They had previously beaten Slot’s men on penalties in August’s Community Shield and followed up with a 2-1 league victory at Selhurst Park.
Glasner’s team, featuring captain Marc Guehi — whose proposed move to Anfield fell through in September — looked well-balanced and disciplined. Guehi’s leadership at the back and Sarr’s clinical finishing highlighted the difference between the sides.
The away supporters gleefully chanted “can we play you every week?” as their team celebrated another memorable victory in what has become a historic spell for the club.
