KOP CHARGED

Boss Slot hoping his rested big guns come out firing and full of energy after midweek R&R

- PAUL GORST

ARNE SLOT felt it was right to give Liverpool's big guns the night off on Wednesday in an effort to stop a rot that now stands at six defeats in seven.

A makeshift Reds squad that saw 10 changes and contained zero first-team players on the bench was subsequently beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The likes of Mo Salah (top right), Virgil van Dijk (bottom right) and Florian Wirtz (circled) were all present at Anfield on the night. But many of Slot's stars were given the evening off to prepare fully for tonight's visit from Aston Villa.

It means the majority have had a full week to prepare for one game for the first time in over a month.

And with the champions potentially 10 points behind leaders Arsenal by the time they kick off, Slot is banking on a well-rested contingent turning around a torrid run.