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Arne Slot Explains Reason Behind Heavy Rotation This Season

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has addressed the club’s recent struggles and the criticism he has faced for rotating his squad heavily this season. Despite a surprising 3–0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup—marking their sixth loss in seven matches across all competitions—Slot remains steadfast in his belief that squad rotation is necessary under the current circumstances.

At his press conference ahead of a crucial Premier League fixture, Slot defended his decision to leave key players such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Hugo Ekitike out of the matchday squad against Palace. He explained that a significant injury crisis has severely limited his options, making it difficult to maintain a consistent starting eleven.

“I’ve always believed that 21 or 22 players are enough for a squad, but you have to keep them fit,” Slot said. He acknowledged that last season Liverpool managed to do so, but this campaign has seen a dramatic increase in fitness issues, which has quickly depleted the club’s squad depth. Slot emphasized that not all players had a full pre-season, further complicating the situation.

The Dutch manager reiterated his trust in the quality of his squad and his overall strategy, even as Liverpool find themselves seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal. He admitted that while he prefers a compact squad, the current injury landscape has forced him to make changes he would otherwise avoid.

Slot also highlighted the importance of managing player workloads to prevent further injuries, especially with a congested fixture schedule. He expressed hope that, as key players return to fitness, the team’s fortunes will improve, but until then, rotation remains a necessity rather than a choice.

Despite the criticism from some supporters, Slot’s focus is on steering Liverpool through this challenging period and ensuring the squad is ready to compete on all fronts as the season progresses.