Liverpool vs Crystal Palace: Sarr double sends Reds crashing out of Carabao Cup

WEB DESK: Liverpool’s Carabao Cup hopes were left in tatters on Wednesday night as Crystal Palace once again proved to be their tormentors, cruising to a 3-0 victory at Anfield. The defeat marked Arne Slot’s sixth in seven games, deepening concerns ahead of critical clashes with Aston Villa and Real Madrid.

Slot fielded a heavily rotated side, making ten changes to rest his senior players for the upcoming fixtures. But the decision backfired badly. Palace, disciplined and clinical under Oliver Glasner, capitalised on Liverpool’s inexperience to register their third win over Slot’s team in just 80 days.

The spotlight belonged to Ismaïla Sarr, who once again haunted Liverpool. The Senegalese forward scored twice in the first half, taking his tally to seven goals in nine career appearances against them. Both strikes were smartly crafted, with Daichi Kamada’s incisive passes slicing open a disorganised Liverpool defence. Daniel Muñoz and Yéremy Pino were also key to the build-up, showing the composure and sharpness that Liverpool’s youngsters lacked.

Seventeen-year-old Rio Ngumoha was a rare bright spark for the home side. The winger came close with a curling shot and set up Federico Chiesa for Liverpool’s best chance, but Palace goalkeeper Walter Benítez stood firm.

“We were asleep in the opening 15 minutes,” Glasner said afterwards. “But once we settled, our quality showed.”

Slot’s youthful side, featuring several players from the under-21 squad, struggled to match Palace’s pace and physicality. The lack of experience on Liverpool’s bench was evident, leaving no real options for a turnaround once the visitors took control.

Palace added a third goal late on when Yéremy Pino found the bottom corner with a composed finish. By then, Liverpool were down to ten men after substitute Amara Nallo was shown a straight red card for pulling down Justin Devenny, mirroring his dismissal on his European debut last season.

It was a night to forget for Slot, whose focus on the Premier League and Champions League may have cost him dearly in domestic cup competition. As Villa and Real Madrid loom, Liverpool’s head coach faces growing pressure to steady a side that suddenly looks vulnerable on all fronts.