Arne Slot’s rotation experiment backfired spectacularly as Liverpool were dumped out of the Carabao Cup following a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield, their sixth loss in seven matches.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City all booked their places in the quarter-finals.

Slot’s youth experiment ends in disaster

Slot made ten changes from the side beaten 3-2 by Brentford, naming three teenagers in the starting XI and five more on the bench.

With key players such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike all missing, Liverpool’s inexperience was brutally exposed.

Joe Gomez’s mistake handed Ismaila Sarr the opener before the Senegalese winger struck again four minutes later to double Palace’s lead.

Federico Chiesa squandered Liverpool’s best chances, firing one effort over and seeing another saved by Walter Benitez.

Red card and late goal compound misery

Liverpool’s miserable night worsened when 18-year-old defender Amara Nallo was sent off for bringing down Justin Devenny as the last man.

Yeremy Pino then completed the rout with a composed finish to seal a dominant Palace win.

With no senior reinforcements on the bench, Slot’s youthful side looked disjointed and toothless. The result adds further pressure on the Dutchman ahead of a crucial run of fixtures against Aston Villa, Real Madrid, and Manchester City.

Chelsea, Arsenal and City progress

Elsewhere, Chelsea edged Wolves 4-3 in a pulsating encounter, with goals from Andrey Santos, Tyrique George, Estevao Willian, and Jamie Gittens sending the Blues through.

Arsenal also advanced after second-half strikes from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka secured a 2-0 home win over Brighton.

At Swansea, Manchester City came from behind to win 3-1 thanks to an inspired performance from Rayan Cherki, who orchestrated the comeback after Goncalo Franco had given the hosts an early lead.

The French playmaker’s brilliance ensured Pep Guardiola’s men progressed comfortably to the last eight.