Arne Slot defended his team selection after Liverpool suffered a shock exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Plymouth Argyle. Despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against the Championship’s bottom club, the manager maintained that resting senior players would benefit the team in the long run.
With 10 changes made from the previous match against Tottenham, key figures such as Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, and Virgil van Dijk were left out entirely. The squad featured a mix of younger players and fringe members, with a relatively inexperienced bench. Slot emphasized that his approach was intentional, explaining that managing the squad’s workload was crucial for the intense schedule ahead.
“Most of the things we do, we do for a reason,” he said. “We have many games to play. The ones who played today need game rhythm, for them to be ready in the upcoming months.”
The defeat was a painful one, but Slot acknowledged the effort of the opposition. He admitted that his side struggled to create opportunities and praised Plymouth’s determination. “They worked incredibly hard,” he noted. “There were one or two big chances, but when a team throws themselves into every challenge, maybe they deserve to be a bit lucky as well. Their goalkeeper made some good saves, but we hardly created anything at all.”
Adding to Liverpool’s woes, Curtis Jones named on the bench declared himself unfit on the morning of the game. The night also proved difficult for Isaac Mabaya, who made his debut as a substitute only to be withdrawn later. Slot explained that the decision was tactical, as the young defender was already on a yellow card. “I had to take him off,” he said. “To be taken off after an hour is very disappointing for him, of course.”
For Plymouth, the victory was a testament to their defensive resilience. Although they remain four points adrift of safety, their determined performance suggests they still have a fighting chance of survival. Their manager expressed pride in his players but made it clear that his biggest moment in coaching had yet to come.
“The biggest moment will be at the end of the season, when we stay up,” he stated. “That is what I feel, in my mind, in my soul.”
The tactical approach was clear discipline, bravery, and intensity. The team embraced the challenge of defending, remaining highly organized throughout the match. “We had to enjoy defending,” he said. “And we did. Keeping them away from goal was a huge, huge task.”
With an important clash against Millwall looming just days later, the celebrations would be short-lived. While the fans would enjoy the moment, the manager had a quieter evening planned. “I will go home,” he said. “I will rewatch the game. I will eat some nachos and drink some Fanta. Very boring for me. But the fans should enjoy themselves!”
