Arne Slot stood tall under the Anfield lights, his calm but focused demeanor reflecting both victory and foresight. Liverpool had just edged Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside derby, sparking celebrations across the red half of the city. Yet when the Dutch manager faced reporters, instead of dwelling on the derby triumph, he looked ahead—and dropped a surprise.
Slot revealed that five of Liverpool’s most important players—Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai—will be rested for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Southampton.
The decision raised eyebrows, but Slot made clear this was not only about rotation; it was about survival in a season already weighed down by injuries and a relentless fixture list. These five players have been the backbone of Liverpool’s strong start, shouldering the burden of Premier League and Champions League battles. Now, Slot has chosen to protect them, even if it means fielding a weakened side in the domestic cup.
The timing makes sense when considering Liverpool’s recent schedule. Just days before the derby, they endured a bruising 3-2 Champions League victory in Madrid against Atlético. The intensity of that contest, followed by the emotional cauldron of a derby, left the squad stretched. While Slot made four changes for Everton, his core stars still carried the load.
Against Everton, Ryan Gravenberch was pivotal, scoring once and assisting Hugo Ekitike’s first goal for the club. Virgil van Dijk and Konaté held firm at the back, Salah drove the attack, and Szoboszlai’s tireless running helped secure a fifth straight league win. But the toll was evident.
Liverpool’s wider injury picture also played into Slot’s call. Record signing Alexander Isak has been sidelined for months, while Alexis Mac Allister has struggled for consistency due to fitness issues. With Champions League, Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and the Club World Cup on the horizon, Slot knows he must balance ambition with pragmatism.
“I can tell you now,” Slot told reporters with characteristic bluntness, “you won’t be seeing Virgil, Ibou, Mo, Ryan, and Dom on Tuesday.”
It was a clear signal: Liverpool’s new era under Slot will not sacrifice long-term stability for short-term gain. The Carabao Cup may be the stage for fringe players and youngsters, but the manager’s eyes are fixed on the bigger battles to come.
