AG NEE SIX MAN

LIVERPOOL will look to end a vrot run of form when they host high-flying Aston Villa in the Premier League at Anfield at 10pm on Saturday.

Coach Arne Slot’s manne were klapped 3-0 by Crystal palace in the League Cup on Wednesday night, which extended their swak run to six losses in seven games across all competitions, including four straight Premier League defeats.

Slot defended his decision to make 10 changes for the Cup tie, resting key manne such as Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah ahead of a pivotal week.

“It’s not Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven,” Slot admitted post-match, but insisted rotation was necessary with Villa, Real Madrid in the Champions League next Tuesday, and Manchester City to follow.

“I couldn’t have brought them [the first-team regulars] into a situation where they had to go into a week like this. It’s only two days to rest, play the next one, only two days’ rest,  play Real Madrid and then a few days more Manchester City.

“Everyone can have his opinion about it, but with the squad we have, maybe 15 or 16 first-team players available, this is the choice I’ve made.”

A youthful Liverpool sukkeled against Palace, with Ismaila Sarr scoring twice in the 41st and 45th minutes before Yeremy Pino added a third in the 88th minute after Amara Nallo’s red card in the 79th minute at Anfield in the fourth round tie.

Meanwhile, the Reds are also banking on the return of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

The Dutchman has been sidelined since twisting his ankle against Manchester United on 19 October, but manager Slot wysed: “I think Ryan has a good chance [of playing this weekend].”