Liverpool limped out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 defeat at Plymouth, although Arne Slot‘s strategy to the tie underlines the place the larger priorities lie between now and Could.
Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool
FA Cup Fourth Spherical | Residence Park
February 9, 2025
Objectives: Hardie pen 53′
Slot makes priorities clear
No Liverpool supervisor will ever be pleased after defeat, however you sense that Arne Slot received’t lose an excessive amount of sleep over this one.
Had the Dutchman seen the FA Cup as a key intention for this season, he merely wouldn’t have taken the danger of leaving so lots of his senior stars on Merseyside.
Nor would he have left Curtis Jones on the bench when the Reds have been struggling so badly for management within the centre of the park.
The actual fact is, the Dutchman decided over the place his priorities lie, and was clearly snug with the chance that his huge calls would possibly deliver a couple of loss.
He should now hope that there are advantages coming down the road due to the truth that the fixture schedule instantly seems to be much less daunting.
Large blow to fringe gamers
In fact, whereas an FA Cup exit means much less pressure on the squad, it additionally represents unhealthy information for individuals who at present discover themselves on the fringes.
With solely Premier League and Champions League fixtures and a Carabao Cup remaining remaining this season, it’s laborious to see the place these gamers decide up vital minutes between now and Could.
Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo are amongst those that will now should try to battle their manner into Slot’s choices in these competitions.
If not, then it might be a quiet finish to the marketing campaign for them.
Jota fails to stake beginning declare
Usually, you wouldn’t contemplate Diogo Jota among the many aforementioned fringe gamers given he clearly has the standard to be Liverpool’s beginning No. 9.
However harm disruptions and the type of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez imply the Portuguese finds himself somewhat decrease down the pecking order than he would possibly like.
And he did little to strengthen his case on this 90-minute outing towards the staff with the worst defensive document within the Championship.
One shot, zero possibilities created and simply 39 % of his passes accomplished tells the story of a forgettable efficiency that received’t have his rivals for begins involved.
One other blow for unfortunate Gomez
It’s straightforward to make the argument that, as Liverpool’s third-choice centre-back and third alternative in both full-back position, Joe Gomez is much from the most important potential harm miss for Liverpool.
However that doesn’t imply it wasn’t massively disappointing to see the Englishman compelled out of this recreation with simply 11 minutes on the clock.
Gomez’s versatility means he makes this Reds squad stronger in a number of positions when accessible, and his standing as a pacesetter was underlined by him being given the captain’s armband at Residence Park.
As such, it is going to be hoped that this newest health setback shouldn’t be a critical one, and that Gomez’s newest comeback has not ended with him being condemned to the sidelines for plenty of weeks nearly instantly.
Win on Wednesday and all is forgotten
Luckily for Liverpool, they’ve the possibility to get this end result rapidly out of their system on Wednesday night.
A win within the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park is at all times welcome, however one that will carve out a nine-point lead on the prime of the Premier League would depart followers in dreamland.
It might even be simpler after such a end result to inform the story that an FA Cup exit ought to assist get the Reds over the road in profitable a twentieth title.
