Arne Slot Says He Is ‘Completely Happy’ With Liverpool Squad Despite Poor Run

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has played down concerns about his squad depth, insisting he remains fully satisfied with his players despite a difficult stretch of results and growing scrutiny from fans.

The Reds crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday after a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Anfield, where Slot named a heavily rotated side featuring three teenage starters and five more on the bench. The decision came just days after Liverpool’s 3-2 loss at Brentford, their fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.

Speaking after the cup exit, Slot had suggested that his team selection “gives a little bit of insight” into the squad’s current state.

But ahead of Saturday’s Premier League home match against Aston Villa, the Dutchman struck a more positive tone. “We miss nothing,” he said. “I am completely happy with the team and with all the quality that we have.”

It has been a frustrating few weeks for the reigning Premier League champions, who started the season in blistering form, winning their first seven matches in all competitions. Since then, they have lost six of their last seven games and slipped to seventh in the league, seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

The slump follows a record-breaking summer in which Liverpool spent £415 million on new signings, the biggest transfer outlay in European football history. Their final addition was striker Alexander Isak, who joined from Newcastle for £125 million after missing pre-season while pushing for the move.

Injuries have also disrupted Slot’s plans, with Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, and Ryan Gravenberch among those sidelined. “When three or four are injured you go back to 16 players,” Slot explained. “I believe 20 or 21 players is enough, but you have to keep them fit.”