Arne Slot didn’t bother hiding his secret relief that Liverpool is not competing in the Carabao Cup this week.

The Reds went all the way to last season’s final, but the physical exertion took its toll on the team. Days prior to that Wembley loss against Newcastle United, a jaded Liverpool had also seen another hope of silverware snuffed out when it exited the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

This season, it has been a different story, of course. The procession Liverpool demonstrated in Premier League games for the majority of last season has been replaced by a jitteriness. Performances and results suffered.

While both have improved of late, the dismal spell of nine defeats in 12 across the autumn months left some wondering whether Slot would be able to survive the downturn. Among the low points was the 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace at home, as a patched-up Liverpool side was meekly eliminated.

Given the intense fixture list, Slot felt he needed to rest the majority of his regulars for that period.

It’s a concern he still shares. Liverpool played 21 games in seven days after the November international break, and the impact of that schedule is evident in the squad.

There have been four new injury issues in the last week alone, in addition to the absences of Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni. Conor Bradley was suspended at the weekend, Dominik Szoboszlai is one game away from a ban, while Mohamed Salah’s departure for the Africa Cup of Nations has reduced options further.

Liverpool's Carabao Cup exit to Palace was a low moment (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Liverpool needs a chance to catch its breath. Thankfully, the team’s wishes are set to be granted, courtesy of that dreary Carabao Cup exit a few days before Halloween.

Had Liverpool progressed, a daunting midweek trip to Arsenal would have awaited. Instead, a few days off, some recuperation and perhaps a rare chance to work on tactics, shape and the like could have huge benefits for Slot.

As luck would have it, Liverpool faces two consecutive weeks without a midweek fixture, the first since August – excluding international breaks.

“I think it is helpful in the upcoming weeks we don't play as many games as we did until now,” Slot admitted on Friday ahead of the Brighton & Hove Albion game.

“I am almost happy that we're out of the League Cup, because if we had to play with 13 outfield players available with any Premier League experience and we have to go [to] Arsenal away on Tuesday again after already so many games played; maybe people can understand a little bit better why I made that line-up against Palace, which wasn't good for me but I did another decision I made for the team,” he added, in reference to the criticism of his weakened team selection for that fourth-round tie.

Slot was asked about Liverpool's plans this week with no midweek fixture (Image: Liverpool FC)

“Sometimes players need rest as well. Look at Dominik, look at Virgil [van Dijk], look at Ibou [Konate], look at Ryan [Gravenberch], they have played so many minutes because other ones weren't available.

“So, it's good for them that we go now to a run of games where there is one week rest in between. And players will come back from injuries and when they are back from injuries there's more to choose from as well.”

Asked about his plans for this week, Slot also implied he wants to prepare thoroughly for Saturday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur and allow his players to rest as much as possible.

“It's safe to say that some of these players have played so many minutes that I don't think my performance staff will tell me, 'OK, let's go out in the upcoming two weeks and train twice a day.'

“I don't think that's what they're going to advise me. So yes, there will be more playing time [in training], so there's more time to prepare for a game.”

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Oliver Giroud believes Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitke has a great chance of making the France national squad for this summer’s World Cup, despite the plethora of talent at the disposal of head coach Didier Deschamps.

In addition to Ekitike, Les Bleus possess elite center forwards such as Kylian Mbappe, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Randal Kolo Muani, and Marcus Thuram, but Ekitike has quickly established himself as an important member of the squad.

The Reds star, who has netted four in his last two Premier League appearances, only earned his first senior call-up in September, but has now played in the last six international matches. He also scored his first goal for the team in last month’s 4-0 win over Ukraine, after coming off the bench in the latter stages.

The French media hailed Ekitike as the “new darling” of the national team after that outstanding 23-minute cameo in Paris, while Deschamps said the Liverpool forward is having a growing influence.

“Ekitike is gaining confidence,” the World Cup-winning coach said in November.

“He's a young player with lots of dynamism and he was able to express himself with his stamina to get around the pitch as well as his ability to penetrate with his speed.”

Ekitike has impressed for France in his six senior caps (Image: Getty Images)

Giroud, France’s all-time top scorer, knows a thing or two about leading the line for Les Bleus, and said he can see Ekitike having a big role at the World Cup, despite the competition for places.

“Yes for sure [people in France are starting to take notice of Ekitike],” the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man said on Sky Sports.

“He is now part of the French squad, even though there are so many talented strikers in that team. He has a good chance of being called up for the World Cup.

Ekitike scored a brace for Liverpool in last weekend's win over Brighton

“It was not easy for him when they [Liverpool] signed [Alexander] Isak for so much money but, he plays a lot of games, is quite efficient and finishes well with his composure in the box.

“He’s got that ability to finish well the work of the team. He can play on the side so [is] versatile.”

Asked whether Ekitike can play in the wide areas, a claim often made by Arne Slot, Giroud responded: “Why not, why not? He can play on the wing and Isak as a No. 9. It depends on the team you face.

“If you know you’re going to have the ball all game, it’s another string to your bow.”

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Hugo Ekitike has reflected on "the hardest time of my life," speaking about how he struggled during lockdown when he was playing for Danish club Vejle Boldklub.

When he was still a Rennes player, Ekitike was sent to Vejle Boldkub for the second half of the 2020-21 season, which coincided with one of the lockdown periods during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an interview with Liverpool's media team, Ekitike recalled how he encountered loneliness during that period of his life — but said that he does not regret the move to Denmark, and implored other young players to put themselves in uncomfortable positions for the good of their careers.

“When I was in Denmark, probably the hardest time of my life," Ekitike said. "I was in a different country, COVID time. I was alone. Just learning life, it was not even about football, it was about learning life, being able to live with yourself.

“If I have one advice to give, it’s like when you think it’s crazy to do something, do it."

A year on from his loan move to Vejle Boldklub, Ekitike was joining Paris Saint-Germain on loan, before joining the French giant permanently in 2023.

While that move to PSG did not work out, it gave Ekitike a taste of playing for a big club and set him up nicely for a move to an even bigger club – via Frankfurt – when he joined Liverpool this summer.

Ekitike has started his Liverpool career brightly

After kicking off his Liverpool career with 10 goals in all competitions, Ekitike said he is enjoying himself at Anfield: "If you don't have pressure, if people don't care, that means you're not at the right place. I'm at the right place.

"I know what people expect. I have my expectations too. I'm just working on being as good as people expect me to be and I know I'm in a place I was dreaming to be.

"I've been to so [many] places and you always have something to reach. I think that's what football is. I always think that football makes you tired physically but mentally, if you want to get to the top and do and achieve things, it's always about [going] again and again and again.

"Because if tomorrow I score a brace and I say, 'I'm really good', it stops. Obviously I want to be the best – that's why I'm playing. But I know I have so much work, so [many] things to improve. But, of course, I want to be the best."

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Liverpool finds itself in the rare position of having a free week on its hands, although that won’t stop a lot of the talk surrounding the club at the moment.

Mohamed Salah continues to dominate the headlines, with the winger making his way to the Africa Cup of Nations after returning to the Reds’ squad against Brighton at the weekend. Despite successful showdown talks with Arne Slot on Friday though, his future isn’t yet decided after his outburst against the club.

Discussions will continue between his representatives and Liverpool to find a solution, but the Reds may well have to start looking at potential replacements - one such name features in the latest round of rumors.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

Liverpool holds a “genuine interest” in Antoine Semenyo, but faces a battle to sign the Bournemouth winger with other clubs keen on him, Fabrizio Romano has told GiveMeSport.

Speculation has been growing over Semenyo’s future recently, and it does seem likely that he could be on the move at some point over the next couple of transfer windows.

The Reds are being strongly linked, with the Ghana international seen as a potential replacement for Salah. According to TeamTalk though, Manchester City is the frontrunner to sign him, while Tottenham is said to be prepared to “smash” its wage structure for him.

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Liverpool.com says: Although he's not producing the sort of numbers he was at the start of the season, Semenyo should be a player that Liverpool is keeping a close eye on - if nothing else, just so there's a plan in place should Salah want to leave next month.

Whether the club sees Semenyo as an ideal replacement for Salah is the obvious question, with the main worry being whether he will be able to step up to the demands of a club like Liverpool. That's a call that may have to be made sooner rather than later.

Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Liverpool is among a host of big clubs showing interest in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, although the England international won’t come cheaply according to The Guardian.

As well as the Reds, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all said to be keen. Wharton has no release clause in his contract, with Palace said to value him at more than £80 million ($107M).

Liverpool has been linked with a move for Adam Wharton (Image: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It’s suggested that a January move might be out of the question with Palace still in four competitions at the moment, and riding high in the Premier League.

Liverpool.com says: Wharton will surely get a big move soon, it's just a question of where he goes, and how much will a club have to pay for his services. As Liverpool knows all too well now, dealing with Palace can be tricky, especially with Oliver Glasner clearly keen on keeping his best players.

A new midfielder doesn't feel like a priority for Liverpool when compared to a center-back or a new winger, so if there's going to be a race for Wharton next summer, don't be surprised to see the Reds taking a back seat in it.

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Micah Richards has revealed how he spoke to Thierry Henry after Hugo Ekitike signed for Liverpool in the summer, and the Arsenal legend warned against expecting too much from the young Frenchman during his first season in England.

Although Liverpool committed over $100 million to signing Ekitike, he was an unknown quantity to many when he made the move to Anfield in the summer transfer window.

Ekitike had a good season with Frankfurt in the Bundesliga last season – scoring 22 goals in 48 games – but Henry was not sure at the time of the move to Liverpool whether his compatriot was ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

"When Liverpool got Ekitike in, I was convinced it meant that Isak was no longer happening," Richards said. "Then when it came back to the table, everyone thought Isak was the final piece as a tried and tested striker.

"I spoke to Thierry Henry, who knows him very well. He said, 'He is going to be a very good player, but we have to see if he is ready for the Premier League'. It was a little bit of a gamble.

"We knew what we were going to get from Isak. It seemed like Liverpool only went for Ekitike at the time, because they didn't think they would get Isak."

Ekitike has been by far the most impressive of Liverpool's many summer signings, and scored his ninth and 10th goals of the season in all competitions in the 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday.

Gary Lineker, who was speaking with Richards on The Rest is Football podcast, is a big fan of the 23-year-old.

Thierry Henry wasn't sure whether Ekitike was ready to make the step up (Image: 2025 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)

"Ekitike has got it all," Lineker said. "He can beat players, he is seriously quick, fantastic in the air. His movement is exceptional. He looks like a huge talent to me."

After netting his brace against Brighton, Ekitike said there was still room for improvement. "I wouldn't say it was perfect because I know I could score way more today," He said. "The most important was to win in front of our fans. It was a good day at work."

Ekitike added, "That was really important. We had a great game in the Champions League [against Inter Milan]. Last game in the Premier League against Leeds was difficult. We came back to Liverpool with the draw so today it was important to win and maybe restart something. I am happy today."

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Jamie Carragher has come in for a hammering from former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel over his remarks surrounding the Mohamed Salah situation over the last week or so.

Carragher was outspoken in his criticism of Salah following the Egyptian's controversial comments in the Elland Road mixed zone at the start of the month.

In a memorable tirade on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football two days after Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds, Carragher accused Salah of speaking out to "cause maximum damage" while also saying that Salah arrived at Liverpool "known as the man who failed at Chelsea."

Carragher's comments have drawn fierce criticism from former Chelsea player Mikel, who said: "We are talking about Liverpool here, we are talking about the Premier League, and you have somebody sat there in the studio, criticizing Mo Salah, and saying Mo Salah has never won the Africa Cup of Nations — that's a failure, criticizing him.

"He's qualified for two World Cups, but he hasn't won the Africa Cup of Nations. What's that got to do with the Premier League? What's that got to do with what we're talking about?

"For some reason, why do you talk about Mo Salah being a failure at Chelsea? People fail – it's about how you get the f--- up.

"Look what he's done since he failed at Chelsea. You learn more from failure, you get better from failure.. It's how you get up when you fall, when you're down there, and Mo Salah did that after Chelsea. He got up, he became stronger and became a better player.

John Obi Mikel slammed Carragher (Image: 2024 FIFA)

"For somebody to criticize a young player at his early stages, to call that a failure – and that's just coming from somebody that never won anything near what Mo Salah won.

"[Carragher] did not win the Premier League, did not win anything with his national team – abandoned his national team, honestly, because he wasn't playing, and yet you are the player that is criticizing somebody for speaking out that he wants to play, but you retired because you were not playing. You quit because you were not playing.

"Mo Salah does not want to quit when it's tough, when it's difficult, he wants to be there and get the team out of this sticky patch, help the team, get the team back to where it belongs. That's what you call a true leader, a true champion. Do I condone what Salah did? Not all of it. But has he earned the right to say I want to play football? Yes."

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