The Reds boss was as reasoned as ever when discussing his approach over this domestic cups week
Following Liverpool’s semi-final win against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup, Reds’ head coach Arne Slot has a team to select for Sunday’s match away against Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
Sunday’s match, which comes just a few days ahead of the final Goodison derby, will likely see some rotation in Slot’s side — though the boss was careful to highlight not just the necessity of such rotation for the overall health of the first-choice 11, but also the the squad-wide positives:
I think it’s always a tricky tie no matter what team you play because it’s an away game, it’s their final probably – as is many times when Liverpool comes anywhere. But it is true that if you play with a team that hasn’t played so much together that that is always for the players a bit more difficult. But I think we’ve seen already a few times when we played with a team that hasn’t played already together – even in Eindhoven in the Champions League – these players were able to play a very good game.
So, I think it’s important in these moments for some players that don’t get [much] playing time to have their playing time, so whenever we need them they are ready. If you never play them then it’s so difficult for them to be ready if we do get some injuries or suspensions. Yeah, we will definitely use a few players that haven’t played that much. But we will make that final call tomorrow.
Liverpool have the luxury of a lot of games this season, and the busy schedule provides both a challenge and an opportunity. Certainly, allowing for more players to be prepared and match fit at the top level is a wider positive for the overall readiness and skillset of the squad as a whole.