A FA Cup Run: Enough to Save Liverpool's Season?

Liverpool's 2025-26 season has spiraled into crisis, with manager Arne Slot under intense scrutiny following a string of poor results, including a humiliating 0-3 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup fourth round on October 29, 2025. Ismaïla Sarr's first-half brace and Yeremy Pino's late strike exposed defensive frailties, worsened by teenager Amara Nallo's red card, continuing a "ruinous run" that began at Selhurst Park 32 days prior[1].

The Reds' title defense from the prior campaign—capped by a 1-1 Premier League draw against Palace, where Mohamed Salah's 84th-minute equalizer matched historic goal involvement records—feels distant[3]. Palace, now FA Cup holders after their historic 2025 triumph over Liverpool and subsequent Community Shield penalty win[4][7], have haunted Liverpool repeatedly.

Liverpool's FA Cup journey offered brief hope. A dominant 4-0 third-round win over Accrington Stanley on January 11, 2025 featured Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunning strike—amid Real Madrid rumors—and debuts for 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha (club's youngest FA Cup player) and Federico Chiesa[5][6]. Diogo Jota, Jayden Danns also starred in the rotated lineup post-Carabao Cup loss to Tottenham.

Yet dreams shattered in the fourth round: Plymouth Argyle's shock 1-0 upset on February 9, 2025 eliminated the champions, mirroring past cup exits[10]. Palace, defending champs, fell early to Macclesfield[2]. With no FA Cup progression and mounting pressure on Slot—whose 10 changes backfired spectacularly[1]—the competition's £2 million winner's prize remains elusive[2].

Could a deeper run have salvaged morale? For a squad boasting Salah, Alexander-Arnold's farewell, and new talents like Chiesa, Wirtz, Frimpong, and Ekitike[7], the early exit compounds league woes. As ESPN analyzes, positivity hinges on cup glory amid a turbulent campaign[1][8].

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