Liverpool Crisis Deepens With Thumping League Cup Exit As Arsenal, City Proceed

Last Updated:October 30, 2025, 08:28 IST

Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool 3-0 in the League Cup, marking Arne Slot's sixth loss in seven games. Newcastle, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea also advanced to QFs.

Liverpool Manager Arne Slot. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool exited the League Cup on Wednesday following Crystal Palace’s 3-0 victory in the fourth round, escalating the crisis at Anfield. Ismaila Sarr scored twice in the first half and Yeremy Pino added a third, handing Arne Slot’s side their sixth defeat in seven games across all competitions.

Slot chose to field a weakened team, prioritising Liverpool’s upcoming crucial matches against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City over the next two weeks. Despite this, the result was another setback for Liverpool, coming on the heels of a 3-2 loss to Brentford on Saturday, further hurting their Premier League title defence. The Reds have now lost their last four league matches and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points.

“It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven," Slot remarked. “But with only two days to rest before the next match, then two more days before playing Real Madrid, and then a few more days for Man City, this is the choice I’ve made with the squad we have available."

Liverpool’s defensive failings and the poor form of summer signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have drawn significant criticism. Both Isak and Wirtz, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, were absent as Slot made 10 changes, including fielding teenagers Kieran Morrison, Rio Ngumoha, and Trey Nyoni. The gamble didn’t pay off, and FA Cup holders Palace have now beaten Liverpool three times in just 80 days, including victories in the Community Shield and the Premier League.

Slot’s switch to a back three backfired when Joe Gomez’s mistake allowed Sarr to score from 12 yards in the 41st minute. Sarr doubled Palace’s lead just before half-time with a goal set up by Pino in front of the stunned Kop. Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute for a professional foul on Justin Devenny. Pino sealed Palace’s win with a third goal in the 88th minute, securing a quarter-final match against Arsenal.

Holders Newcastle defeated Tottenham 2-0 at St James’ Park, setting up a quarter-final tie with Fulham. Fabian Schar scored Newcastle’s opener in the 24th minute, followed by Nick Woltemade’s goal early in the second half.

Manchester City came from behind to win 3-1 at second-tier Swansea, earning a quarter-final at home to Brentford. After trailing to Goncalo Franco’s 12th-minute goal, City equalised through Jeremy Doku’s deflected strike in the 39th minute. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki added late goals to complete the comeback.

Arsenal continued their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over Brighton, making it eight consecutive wins in all competitions. Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka scored for the Gunners, with 15-year-old Max Dowman becoming Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter.

Chelsea will face third-tier Cardiff in the last eight after a 4-3 win at struggling Wolves. Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevao Willian, and Jamie Gittens scored for Chelsea, while Toluwalase Arokodare and David Wolfe (twice) netted for Wolves. Chelsea’s Liam Delap was sent off in the 86th minute, prompting boss Enzo Maresca to criticise him as “stupid" and “embarrassing".

News sports Liverpool Crisis Deepens With Thumping League Cup Exit As Arsenal, City Proceed

Read More