Arne Slot Confirms Squad Rotation for Carabao Cup Clash with Southampton
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed he will rotate his squad for Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Southampton at Anfield.
Speaking after the Reds’ 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton, Slot revealed that several first-team regulars will be rested to cope with the team’s intense recent schedule.
In an interview with Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Training Centre on Monday, the Dutch coach explained the thinking behind the changes.
“Of course we’ll rotate, just as we did in the League Cup last season,” Slot said. “The players can manage a demanding schedule, but they also need recovery—especially since many were involved in two international games recently.”
While insisting his squad is generally in good shape, he stressed the importance of giving players proper rest: “We’ll name a completely different starting XI,” he confirmed.
Slot also reflected on his side’s energy during the closing stages of the Everton clash, despite lengthy stoppage time. “People talked about the extra minutes, but honestly I’d have liked a few more seconds—we were in a great position to score again. It shows the hunger and mentality of this team,” he said.
The coach acknowledged that the Southampton fixture provides opportunities for fringe players such as Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni, and Giorgi Mamardashvili. “Yes, definitely,” he responded. “It’s important for players like Wataru Endo and others to get minutes. If we didn’t have this game, we’d probably arrange a friendly to keep them sharp.”
He added that the squad rotation in recent weeks has been carefully managed, with some players featuring less than others—making this cup match the perfect chance for them to step in.
As for Liverpool’s ambitions in the competition, Slot made the club’s intentions clear: “Last season we reached the final with similar line-ups. We treat every competition seriously, and we want to win them all,” he said.
The head coach underlined the importance of balancing short-term success with long-term squad management: “If we want to compete on all fronts, some players need the occasional break from midweek matches. That’s the reality of managing a team over a long season.”
