Slot stands by his selection decisions in the face of a demanding schedule

In an effort to stop a rot that now stands at six defeats in seven matches in all competitions, Arne Slot felt it was right to give his big guns the night off for Wednesday's Carabao Cup exit at home to Crystal Palace.

- By PAUL GORST

A makeshift Liverpool squad that saw 10 changes and contained zero first-team players on the bench was subsequently beaten 3-0 by a Palace side full of regulars.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Florian Wirtz were all present at Anfield on the evening but many of the stars whose performances helped Liverpool win the Premier League title by 10 points last time out were given the night off to prepare fully for today's visit from Aston Villa.

It means the majority have had a full week to prepare for just one game for the first time in over a month and with the defending champions potentially 10 points behind leaders Arsenal by the time the 8pm kickoff gets underway, Slot is banking on a well-rested contingent turning around a torrid sequence.

"When was the last time I gave them a week off during the week, do you know?" asked the Reds head coach.