Liverpool fielded a weakened team and got duly punished in a 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the League Cup on Wednesday, the latest setback to strike the beleaguered English champions.
Ismaila Sarr scored two first-half goals at Anfield and Yeremy Pino added a third for Palace, which consigned Liverpool to a sixth defeat in its last seven games in all competitions.
Also advancing to the quarterfinals were Premier League leader Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.
After four straight losses in its tottering Premier League title defense, Liverpool is now out of one of the two domestic cups in what is proving to be an unexpectedly poor start to the season.
This latest loss can at least be explained by manager Arne Slot resting most of his top players — like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak — and not even putting them on the bench.
A team filled mostly with youngsters was cut apart by Sarr, who scored in the 41st and 45th minutes to add to his goals for Palace in victories over Liverpool in the Community Shield — in a penalty shootout — and the Premier League already this season.
Amara Nallo, an 18-year-old defender, came on as a 67th-minute substitute for Liverpool and was sent off 12 minutes later for committing a foul as the last defender. In his only other appearance for the Reds — in the Champions League in January — Nallo was also red-carded four minutes after coming on as a sub.
Crystal Palace players celebrate after a goal during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Credit: AP/Jon Super
Pino scored Palace’s third goal in the 88th.
Arsenal record-breaker
Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter, at 15 years, 302 days, in the team’s 2-0 win over Brighton.
The league leaders also played a weakened team but that didn’t affect them, with Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka — on as a substitute for Dowman — netting the goals.
City comeback
Man City came from behind to beat second-tier Swansea 3-1, with Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki scoring.
Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, left, celebrates scoring with teammates during the English League Cup fourth round soccer match between Swansea City and Manchester City in Swansea, Wales, Wednesday Oct. 29, 2025. Credit: AP/Nick Potts
Prolific City striker Erling Haaland was rested completely, not even making it onto the bench.
Chelsea beat Wolverhampton 4-3, after going 3-0 up by halftime. Liam Delap made his comeback from injury for Chelsea and was sent off in the 86th.
Defending champion Newcastle was playing Tottenham in a late kickoff.
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Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
