Marc Guehi twists knife into Liverpool as Crystal Palace gamble backfires

Arne Slot has never shied away from taking risks since he took on the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp. This was evident when the teamsheet for Liverpool's latest disappointing performance was released. Despite a run that has now seen six losses in seven games - the worst such streak in 16 years - there are no serious calls to dismiss Slot just six months after he led Liverpool to their record-equalling 20th title.

However, the pressure is steadily increasing. It's clear that Slot put all his eggs in one basket by fielding such a weakened team here, with Milos Kerkez being the only player to keep his starting position while stars like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Cody Gakpo, all fit and ready, watched from the stands.

The focus is now on the upcoming week, which includes a Premier League match against Aston Villa, a trip to Manchester City, and a high-profile Champions League game against Real Madrid at Anfield.

Slot justified his decision by pointing out the season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni and the unnecessary suspension Hugo Ekitike picked up in the victory over Southampton in the previous round, highlighting the risks of fielding a stronger team, especially with Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson Becker already sidelined.

Anfield was filled with a sense of disappointment as Liverpool's selected team struggled against a rotated Palace side, which still boasted key players like two-goal Ismaila Sarr and captain Marc Guehi, a continued Liverpool transfer target who twisted the knife after beating the team that failed to sign him on deadline day.

Now, the pressure is on Slot and his rested players to ensure that this calculated risk pays off and their cup hopes were not dashed in vain.

Joe Gomez's performance highlighted an issue

The potential pitfalls of fielding an experimental line-up were always going to be a concern for Liverpool. This proved to be the case.

For most of the first half, Joe Gomez was Liverpool's standout player, showing determination both on the ground and in the air, while also trying to stake his claim for more regular game time.

However, a poor touch, likely due to his lack of first-team football this season, allowed Sarr to score the opening goal.

Minutes later, Wataru Endo, who started the game strongly on the right of a back three, was pulled out of position, allowing Sarr to capitalise once again.

Guehi would have eased these concerns, but Liverpool were unable to complete a summer move for the Palace captain.

This was the risk Slot took with this team, a blend of underused first-team squad members, fringe youngsters, and academy hopefuls.

Options from the bench were limited, with only Kaide Gordon having previously started a game for Liverpool.

Federico Chiesa was forced to drop deep to evade the physical prowess of Crystal Palace's defence, leaving Liverpool lacking in attacking presence. The only spark of promise came from Rio Ngumoha in the opening quarter.

This marked only the sixth time under Slot that his team failed to find the back of the net.

Alexis Mac Allister, who has been struggling for form, managed to clock up some much-needed minutes on the pitch.

However, it was a night with few positives for the Anfield faithful, who showed their support for Slot and his players after the final whistle. Their backing is crucial.

Amara Nallo's nightmare continues

After being sent off just four minutes into his Liverpool debut against PSV Eindhoven in January, the young centre-back lasted only eight more minutes before he was dismissed for fouling Palace substitute Justin Devenny.

The match was already lost by this point. But it highlighted, aside from the energetic Rio Ngumoha, a difficult night for the academy players that were given their chance.

Debutant Kieran Morrison was frequently ignored on the right wing, Trey Nyoni seemed plagued by indecision in central midfield, while substitute Wellity Lucky was partly to blame for the inconsequential final goal from Palace's Yeremy Pino.

However, these are all players at the beginning of their careers. It would be unfair and unnecessary to place any blame on them given the challenging circumstances they found themselves in.

The hope is that their confidence isn't damaged as a result. After all, there will be much easier nights than this one.

Criticism of Liverpool's ongoing poor defensive statistics - conceding first in the last seven games, no clean sheet in 10, only one shutout in 11 home games - must also be balanced by the line-up and a tactical shift to 3-4-3 to counter Palace's threat.

And perhaps the only Liverpool player to truly shine benefited from the new system, Calvin Ramsay making a strong impression as right-back on his first Liverpool appearance in nearly three years.