“These Players Need a Game” – Arne Slot confirms squad reshuffle ahead Liverpool’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed a squad reshuffle ahead of their Carabao Cup third-round tie against Southampton, resting five key players who recently played three full matches in a demanding fixture run. Slot revealed that Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Mohamed Salah will not feature in the upcoming match to manage their workload after a week that included wins over Burnley, Atlético Madrid, and Everton.
Slot emphasized that these players have been involved intensively, playing 90 minutes in consecutive games resulting in victories that maintained Liverpool's strong form. The manager praised their performance and fitness but confirmed their absence for the cup tie, stating, "The ones that played three times 90 [minutes] are Virgil, Ibou, Mo, Ryan and Dom – the ones that are used to this intensity and this level. And again they showed up really good. I can tell you now you won’t be seeing them on Tuesday."
This decision reflects Slot’s strategy to rotate the squad and provide rest, especially as Liverpool navigates a congested schedule. The carabao cup fixture offers an opportunity to field other players needing game time while preserving the fitness of the main performers.
Additionally, Slot provided a broader update on squad fitness noting that Curtis Jones will miss the upcoming Burnley game due to injury but confirmed that, apart from Jones, the squad returned healthy from the international break. He highlighted the management of players who have had intense international schedules, remarking on the challenges of balancing club and country demands early in the season.
Overall, Slot’s squad management ahead of the Southampton Carabao Cup game underlines a pragmatic approach designed to sustain Liverpool’s performance across multiple competitions by carefully managing player workload and fitness.
PP