Arne Slot defended his team selection after his much-changed Liverpool side crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship bottom-club Plymouth.
The Premier League leaders had been big pre-match favourites to march into round five of the competition, with talk of a possible quadruple even beginning to build following their qualification for the Carabao Cup final.
But Slot made 10 changes from the side which beat Tottenham in the semi-final second-leg of that competition on Thursday for the trip to Home Park, leaving key men Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk out of his squad. Liverpool go to Everton on Wednesday, where they can stretch their advantage at the top of the Premier League to nine points over Arsenal.
There were senior figures in the side, including Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz, but Liverpool struggled to create chances, with just three shots on target and an Expected Goals total of 0.44 from open play, their lowest tally since Slot took charge.
Ryan Hardie scored a penalty for Plymouth and Liverpool couldn’t find a way back into the tie.
“We have to play many games,” said Slot. “The last few weeks, we’ve played every week two times. The upcoming weeks we have to play twice.
Ryan Hardie scores from the spot to give Plymouth the lead against Liverpool
“It’s not only good for them [his starters] to once in a while have a week where they only play one game but also for the ones here today, they need the intensity of a game. They had that against PSV [in the Champions League]. Unfortunately they lost that one. And they had that today and unfortunately we lost this one as well.
“Today also showed why we play with the ones we played today. These players need game rhythm as well.
“You saw today some of these players really need games like this to be ready for the last three months of the season.”
Other changes included 17-year-old Trey Nyoni for Ryan Gravenberch, James McConnell in place of Dominik Szoboszlai and debutant Issac Mabaya coming on for the injured Joe Gomez.
Slot’s team selection was ‘irresponsible’
Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones:
As the clock ticked down with Liverpool offering no spark and creative edge, it was surely time to unleash the likes of Mohamed Salah from the bench.
But Salah wasn’t there.
Neither was Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Mac Allister, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch. In-form first-team players that would have made Plymouth sweat.
Instead Arne Slot could only turn to debutants Isaac Mabaya and Trent Kone-Doherty – and the erratic Darwin Nunez.
Slot has got little, if anything wrong, in his time in the Liverpool hotseat but this was a clear underestimation of the challenge ahead. Name a freshened-up team, of course, but to not have the big guns in reserve for any emergencies was just plain irresponsible in a competition that Liverpool have serious tradition of taking seriously.
Slot disrespected the competition, did Plymouth’s team talk for them and the famous old competition delivered him a harsh lesson.
Morrison: Slot didn’t get it wrong vs Plymouth
Clinton Morrison speaking on Sky Sports News:
“I don’t think Slot got it wrong [with his team selection].
“Their bread and butter is the Premier League and they have a big game on Wednesday [against Everton]. He has to rest his players because they have played a lot of football.
Harvey Elliott appeals to the referee after conceding a penalty at Home Park
“They still had enough quality on the pitch to go and beat Plymouth, who have conceded the most goals in all the leagues this season.
“It was an opportunity for players and it didn’t work out for them. It happens in football. That’s the only blot for Slot.
“Since he’s come to Liverpool all we’ve done is praise him. You have to move on quickly.
“I don’t think it will be damaging because it wasn’t their starting XI. They will respond. It’s just a blip in the road.”
Slot: Not easy if a team doesn’t always play together
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to ITV:
“Great game from Plymouth. Good game plan and they deserve all the credit. We were not having a very good day. A result like this is the outcome.
“I can’t say the boys didn’t fight, both teams barely created a chance and then it was a penalty. In a game like this, it is up to one moment. That moment was for them and they deserve it.
Slot commiserates Diogo Jota after defeat to Plymouth
“I think they were able to do better but it’s a system and a way of playing which is hard to create against. I wasn’t surprised. When we had the ball they were really aggressive.
“Not easy to create especially if a team has not played together all the time. It hurts everyone. We were all wanting to be in this competition for as long as possible.
“They kept on fighting until the last second, it wasn’t a work-rate problem but they couldn’t find chances. We have to be more creative.”
Liverpool debate shouldn’t distract from Plymouth performance
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
The debate surrounding Liverpool’s team selection should not distract us away from the performance from Plymouth today.
With Diaz, Jota and Chiesa all featuring, Liverpool had enough firepower at their disposal to cause problems today – but they were stifled by the immense performance from the hosts.
Nikola Katic defending during Plymouth’s 1-0 win against Liverpool
Every cross was dealt with and every tackle was made. Maksym Talovierov only joined the club from LASK in January but has quickly become a fan favourite, with his celebrations after every block cheered by the Home Park crowd like a goal.
He made nine clearances on the afternoon, with his counterpart Nikola Katic almost doubling that with 17, despite losing a tooth in the first half!
It was immense from start to finish and as Slot correctly pointed out, Plymouth deserve their spot in the fifth round.
Chiesa fails to take his chance
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
Federico Chiesa suffered throughout the first half of the season with injuries. Today was a big chance for him to show his quality and that he can be a big figure for Liverpool in the business end of the season.
But he was well short of the level required at Home Park.
Federico Chiesa failed to impress for Liverpool during the loss to Plymouth
He attempted 10 take-ons. And completed one.
In the final third, barely half of his passes were completed, while just one of his four crosses found their target.
He just couldn’t find a way past the green shirts in front of him and when he sent a late cross straight out for a goal-kick, Arne Slot looked exasperated.
Of course, Chiesa is likely still short of match fitness. But his frustrating time at Liverpool from a personal perspective looks set to continue for a while yet, on this evidence.
