Liverpool lost their third consecutive match against Crystal Palace. While Crystal Palace ended their Premier League unbeaten streak and won the Community Shield at their expense, it seems as though Liverpool coach Arne Slot had already mentally accepted defeat to Crystal Palace before the game even began.
In cup matches, it’s advisable to play mostly youngsters because it’s an avenue for them to gain experience, and you’d also want to protect your first-team players. However, it’s equally wise to have some first-team players on the bench.
Arne Slot, however, had zero first-team players on the bench and only two — Milo Kerkez and Andy Robertson — in the starting XI. Liverpool eventually lost and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace. The point is, maybe if there had been more first-team players, the scoreline might have been different.
Arne Slot’s statement after the game might even suggest that he was relieved and happy that Liverpool were out of the Carabao Cup. He described the situation as being “out of one less cup” and having “fewer games to play.” In fact, he even said that even if he had fielded first-team players, they would still have lost.
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a man who seems okay with losing. Yes, he might have won the Premier League in his first season, but this season has had a series of setbacks. And now, instead of trying to at least go for a cup to salvage the season, he’s happy to be out of one?
This of course says a whole lot about his mentality before the game. He had already accepted defeat and was ready to answer all questions after.
My point is: How can the reigning premier champions be ok with loosing?
Or is there something that is not known?
Because being on a loosing streak after spending almost €200m this summer is not normal.