Arne Slot’s second season as Liverpool manager have been anything but smooth, and his recent decisions are raising serious questions about judgment and timing. The Dutchman finds himself under growing pressure after Liverpool’s alarming slump in form losing four of their last five games with the latest setback being a humbling 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield.
The loss wasn’t just another bad day at the office; it symbolized a growing problem in Slot’s approach. Facing a side that has caused Liverpool trouble over the years, Slot opted to rest several key players, banking on squad rotation to spark a response. Instead, what followed was a disjointed display that left fans frustrated and pundits questioning the wisdom of his choices.
Softfootball understands that when asked after the game about his team selection, Slot remained defiant. According to top journalist Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, the Liverpool boss said:
It’s a fair point, Liverpool have indeed found Palace difficult to beat in recent years, but it also feels like a deflection. The decision to rest pivotal figures in a period of poor form was a bold move that didn’t pay off. Rotation is a necessary part of modern football, yet timing is everything. Doing so when the team’s rhythm and confidence are fragile can easily tip balance into chaos.
Liverpool looked flat, lacking urgency and leadership on the pitch. The absence of experienced names disrupted their structure and spirit, leaving the replacements exposed and uncertain. Palace, on the other hand, were organized, ruthless, and fully aware of their opportunity and they seized it.
The bigger issue isn’t that Slot rotated his team, but that he did it at a time when stability was crucial. Liverpool’s core players have been struggling for chemistry, and resting them en masse only made it harder to regain that spark. Every great manager rotates, but the best do so without losing the spine of their team.
Slot’s confidence in his methods is admirable, but football is a results business. If the poor form continues, fans will wonder whether he’s being pragmatic or simply stubborn. Resting key players is meant to preserve long-term success not accelerate a decline. Right now, it feels like Arne Slot’s gamble to rest his stars has backfired when Liverpool needed strength and consistency the most.
