Following their defeat in the Carabao Cup final, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Arne Slot will need to learn to trust his squad.
Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle United will be a learning experience for head coach Arne Slot. The former Liverpool defender has stated that the Dutchman’s regular usage of unchanged squads ‘hit him on the buttocks’ in light of Sunday’s Wembley defeat.
The Reds will be forced to reflect on their failed League Cup defence during the two-week international break before returning to Premier League action against Everton.
Mohamed Salah continued to struggle in Sunday’s bruising defeat, while the Reds’ midfielders finished second in the duel with the Magpies.
Carragher believes that the present alternatives at Anfield appeared fatigued under the arch and that Slot must trust his side following their setback.
The 47-year-old stated, “I think a key issue this season that has stood out and possibly come back to bite him on the backside today is he doesn’t change the team.
“We’re getting used to the manager; we’re not sure if it’s his style, but it’s put Liverpool in a strong position to win the league title.
“It shows that in this league, they’re running out of steam, legs, and the fact that he’s very hesitant to change the team or give the nod to players who don’t normally play meant he almost played his best team against Southampton, one of the worst teams in the Premier League, because he felt, ‘I can’t take the risk of bringing players off the bench in the game.'”
“Gravenberch, who appeared tired, Szoboszlai, MacAllister—he rarely changes that midfield, and that’s something he needs to learn.”
“He got to probably trust his squad if they want to go further in the Champions League.”
Liverpool return to action in the Merseyside Derby against Everton on April 2 at Anfield.
In the Premier League, Liverpool is currently 12 points ahead of Arsenal in second place.
