Arne Slot reveals ‘most positive’ aspect of Liverpool’s defeat that brings good ‘feeling’ for future

Liverpool's slump — six defeats in seven — and Arne Slot's rotated side being dumped from the League Cup suggest momentum is with Aston Villa. Punters may favour backing Villa or a Villa win/draw no bet at better odds; avoid staking on Liverpool to win unless the market heavily undervalues Villa.

Liverpool slump deepens as inexperienced XI exit League Cup

Liverpool suffered a humiliating exit from the League Cup after Arne Slot selected an inexperienced side for the tie against Crystal Palace. The defeat marked the Reds' sixth loss in seven matches, with Slot now having just one win in his last seven games in charge. The decision to rotate the squad backfired and further intensified scrutiny of Slot’s stewardship.

Slot admits pressure but points to Anfield backing ahead of Villa

Slot acknowledged the mounting pressure that comes with poor results but highlighted the crowd’s reaction as a rare positive. After falling 2-0 behind and struggling to force a comeback, he said the fans remained behind the team — a sign he believes could boost performances against Aston Villa this weekend. Slot noted Villa will be refreshed, having had a rest midweek.

Fixture congestion and squad depth under the microscope

Despite a summer spending spree reported at around £450m, Slot warned that fixture congestion is exposing limitations. He pointed to the physical challenge of playing three games in seven days as a new test for many players and stressed it is “not an excuse,” but a reality his squad is grappling with. Slot added that the squad “is probably not as big as people think,” insisting the club must manage the load without changing the way they view the situation.

Betting angle: why markets may tilt toward Villa

Form and selection headaches make Liverpool a risky back for punters. With momentum against the Reds and Villa likely fresher, markets may price Villa as favourites. Consider betting options that mitigate risk — such as Villa to win or Villa win/draw no bet — rather than placing outright wagers on a struggling Liverpool side.

Last season's finalists Liverpool are out of the League Cup having lost their sixth game in the last seven matches.

Football365