Arne Slot explains Liverpool changes as Luis Diaz misses out at Crystal Palace

10/05/2024 06:08 AM

Arne Slot says it is simply a matter of rotation after making four changes to the Liverpool side for the trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are back into the forward line, while Curtis Jones comes into midfield and Kostas Tsimikas slots in at left-back.

Luis Diaz is the surprise omission after the Colombian has shown fine form so far this season, while Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai and Darwin Nunez also have to settle for places on the substitutes’ bench.

Asked if the changes were due to fatigue, Slot told TNT Sports: ‘No, if I ask the players if they are fatigued they will always tell me no, but we’ve played a lot of games and Cody has done really well, Kostas has done really well and Curtis every time he comes in did well.

‘It’s a good moment for Curtis to start, also because he’s not going to go to the international games so it’s good for him to have a game as well. He’s done very good when he came in and Dom [Szoboszlai] is putting in so, so, so much effort in his pressing you wonder if he can continue doing this every three days.

‘I think it’s also good for us to have more than only three midfielders, so let’s see today how Curtis is doing

‘Cody and Kostas speaks for itself, I think they’ve done very good every time they’ve played.’

Ryan Gravenberch holds onto his spot in midfield alongside Jones and Alexis Mac Allister after the Dutchman has shone in a deeper role this season.

‘Before I started working with him I thought if he wants to play in the eight position he needs to be more involved in goals, but because of the pre-season we didn’t have the players,’ explained Slot.

‘We tried him in the six position and he is so comfortable on the ball – he surprised me.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.