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Slot opined how tricky cup fixtures could prove to be and that it was necessary for players who haven’t featured for the PL table toppers regularly to be geared up and ready to hit the ground.
Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot greets the crowd after winning the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool take on Plymouth Argyle in their upcoming FA Cup fixture ahead of their congested Premier League calendar this month, and head coach Arne Slot voiced that players who have found playtime hard to come by this season might be up for a call in the cup tie.
The Reds are slated to visit second-tier Championship side Plymouth on Sunday before PL fixtures against Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle United.
Slot opined how tricky such fixtures could prove to be and that it was necessary for players who haven’t featured for the PL table toppers regularly to be geared up and ready to hit the ground.
“It is always a tricky tie, no matter what team you play, because it is an away game and it is probably their ‘final’, as is often the case when Liverpool goes anywhere,” Slot said.
“I think it is important in these moments for players that don’t get much playing time to have that playing time, so that if we ever need them then they are ready,” the Dutchman added.
“If you never play them, it is so difficult for them to be ready if we do get some injuries or suspensions. We will definitely use some players that haven’t played so much,” he added.
English defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who missed Liverpool’s mauling of Tottenham in the EFL League cup could also sit out the FA Cup game against Argyle, but did not close the doors on the star full back returning to action for the Merseyside Derby.
“It is difficult to say if he will be back. It’s not going to take months or even weeks, but that game is only three days after the Plymouth Argyle one,” Slot added.
“Let’s wait and see if he is available. We also want to look at it long-term because we don’t want to take any risks with so many games coming up afterwards. If he is fit, then we will use him,” the 46-year-old said.
Liverpool, who top both the PL and UEFA Champions League tables, are in contention for a quadruple, a similar situation to their position last year around the same time, during former boss Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge of the Merseyside club. The German, however, bowed out with the Carling Cup title after three of the other title challenges came to an end.
Slot said that his unit seem to be in a good place in terms of the results and the levels of fitness but also paid heed to the mounting challenges of pressure across tournaments.
“It’s difficult for me to judge because I wasn’t here last season, so I don’t know,” the Liverpool boss said.
“I can only tell you that at this moment in time we are in a very good place. I’m not just talking about the results, but the players are fit and ready,” he added.
“We are in a good place but we also know how long the season still is and how many difficult challenges there will still be for us,” Slot signed off.
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