Liverpool find themselves in full-blown crisis mode, and their struggles could worsen when they face Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup fourth round on Wednesday night. Arne Slot’s team have lost five of their last six matches in all competitions, and their hopes of adding more silverware this season are quickly fading. Yet, their opponents from London are also facing a rough patch following the end of their club-record unbeaten run.
Liverpool briefly rediscovered their spark in Europe last week, hammering Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Champions League. However, that confidence boost did not carry over into the Premier League, where their title defence has completely unraveled. On Saturday, they fell 3-2 to Jordan Henderson’s Brentford in a dramatic match, marking their fourth straight league defeat.
That run puts them in unwanted company. They are now only the fourth defending champions in Premier League history to lose four games in a row, joining Jurgen Klopp’s 2020–21 Liverpool team, Manchester City’s 2024–25 squad, and Leicester City’s 2016–17 side. Having already equaled last season’s total number of league defeats, the Reds sit seven points behind Arsenal and look far from capable of mounting a title defence.
Much of the blame has fallen on their leaky defence. With just two clean sheets in 14 games this season, it’s clear where their main weakness lies. Even in the EFL Cup, their 2-1 win over Southampton in the previous round was far from convincing. Liverpool have been knocked out in the fourth round twice in the past five seasons, though they also lifted the trophy in both 2022 and 2024 before finishing runners-up last year.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have enjoyed success at Wembley in recent years, having claimed both the FA Cup and Community Shield. But the EFL Cup has never been kind to them. In their 120-year history, they have never won the competition, and only once in the past six seasons have they reached the quarter-finals. That was last year, when Arsenal ended their run.
Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal continued their slump, leaving Oliver Glasner’s men winless in four games and with three defeats since the start of the month. Former Palace star Eberechi Eze delivered the decisive goal that deepened their frustrations.
Their record-breaking 19-game unbeaten streak, which included a third-round penalty shootout win over Millwall, now feels like a distant memory. Still, Palace can draw confidence from their recent meetings with Liverpool. They have already beaten Slot’s side twice this season—first in the Community Shield and again in the Premier League at Selhurst Park.
Remarkably, the Eagles are also unbeaten at Anfield since September 2021. With both teams struggling for consistency, this EFL Cup clash could go either way—but Liverpool’s growing list of problems makes this a dangerous fixture for the defending champions.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Liverpool’s defeat to Brentford was made even worse by an injury setback, as midfielder Curtis Jones had to be substituted midway through the second half with a knock. Although Arne Slot sounded optimistic afterward, suggesting the problem was not serious, Jones remains a major doubt for the upcoming clash with Crystal Palace.
He joins Alexander Isak, who is nursing a groin issue, and Ryan Gravenberch, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, on the list of potential absentees. Alisson Becker (hamstring), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), and Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) are all confirmed to be out of action.
Even with the injuries piling up, Slot is expected to rotate heavily for this EFL Cup match. Reports suggest he could hand rare starts to backup goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and right-back Calvin Ramsay, who has seen little action this season.
On the Crystal Palace side, Caleb Kporha (back), Chadi Riad (knee), and Cheick Doucoure (knee) remain unavailable, while Chris Richards will also miss the game due to a minor calf strain.
Manager Oliver Glasner has mostly relied on a consistent starting lineup this season, but fatigue seems to be catching up with his squad, which could prompt him to shuffle the pack. Eddie Nketiah, who scored the winning goal in Palace’s stunning victory over Liverpool last month, is pushing for a place in the starting lineup. Former Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne could also be handed a start against his former club.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Ramsay, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister; Chiesa, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha; Ekitike
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Canvot, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa; Esse, Devenny; Nketiah
EXPERT PREIDCTION
Liverpool 2-1 Crystal Palace
