Arne Slot’s Carabao Cup squad did not contain Liverpool’s captain.
Arne Slot stated that skipper Virgil van Dijk made a touching gesture after Liverpool’s 3-0 Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Crystal Palace.
Slot made twelve changes from the weekend’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Brentford, with only left-back Milos Kerkez remaining against Crystal Palace.
The ten-time League Cup champions’ starting lineup contained three teenagers: Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni, and Kieran Morrison, with Freddie Woodman and Morrison making their Liverpool debuts.
But it was the away side who put on a show in the driving Merseyside rain, with Ismaila Sarr’s first-half brace putting the south London club ahead at half-time.
Despite Federico Chiesa’s flashes of brilliance, Liverpool failed to challenge Palace goalkeeper Walter Daniel Benitez, with the Reds hitting just one shot on target from eight efforts while the away side found the target eight times.
Things got worse on 79 minutes when Craig Pawson showed 18-year-old defender Amara Nallo a red card for bringing down Justin Devenny as he surged towards goal.
Nallo was already sent off during his Liverpool debut in the Champions League league phase against PSV in Eindhoven last season, meaning he has now received a red card in both of his Reds appearances despite playing only 16 minutes in total.
To add insult to injury, Palace’s Yeremy Pino made it 3-0 with three minutes remaining to send the travelling fans home satisfied.
However, Nallo will not be delighted this evening, which is understandable given his age.
The teenager will undoubtedly learn from the terrible experience and will most likely reflect on his two red cards in the future, but for the time being, he will be unhappy in himself.
Fortunately for the 18-year-old, he is surrounded by a lot of seasoned specialists who can offer him advise and support, including Van Dijk.
Despite not playing versus Palace at Anfield, Slot revealed the classy thing Van Dijk and centre-back partner Ibrahima Konate performed after Nallo was dismissed.
In his post-match press conference, Slot stated: “I didn’t need to say anything [to Nallo]. Ibou and Virgil walked in immediately to speak with him. That tells me they’re terrific people.
Liverpool will face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, followed by matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
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