Oliver Glasner spoke out after Crystal Palace’s huge win away vs Liverpool in the Carabao Cup

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has hit back at suggestions that his team’s emphatic 3–0 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup came against a weakened side, insisting it would be “disrespectful” to downplay the quality of the players his team defeated.

The Eagles delivered a commanding performance at Anfield, storming into the fifth round of the competition with goals from Ismaila Sarr—who netted twice in the first half—and Yeremy Pino, who sealed the victory late on. The result not only dumped the reigning Premier League champions out of the cup but also heaped further pressure on Arne Slot, whose Liverpool side have now endured a torrid run of form.

Slot, who has faced mounting scrutiny in recent weeks, made sweeping changes to his starting lineup following Liverpool’s 3–2 defeat to Brentford in the league just days earlier. The Dutch coach rotated heavily, introducing ten new players and handing opportunities to several academy prospects including Rio Ngumoha, Kieran Morrison, Trey Nyoni, and Calvin Ramsay. The bench, notably, contained no senior outfield players, a decision that drew frustration from fans and pundits alike, especially given Liverpool’s rich history in the competition.

Despite those criticisms, Glasner was quick to defend the strength of his opponents, stressing that any Liverpool side—regardless of rotation—still possesses elite quality and experience.

“I saw Arne Slot’s lineup and I think it’s disrespectful to call it a weak team,” Glasner told reporters, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo. “Joe Gomez has won both the Champions League and the Premier League with Liverpool. Wataru Endo is the captain of Japan and has played countless international matches. Alexis Mac Allister is a World Cup winner with Argentina. Milos Kerkez cost £40 million, and Federico Chiesa is an Italian international. These are not inexperienced players. Everyone who wears the Liverpool badge has quality.”

The Palace boss added that his players deserved full credit for the victory, noting the focus and intensity they displayed throughout the match. “We played with courage and energy,” he said. “The boys were fantastic from start to finish.”

The defeat marks a deepening crisis for Arne Slot’s side, who have now lost six of their last seven games in all competitions. Their defensive frailties and lack of cohesion have been glaring, and Liverpool’s upcoming fixtures offer no respite. They host Aston Villa on Saturday in what already feels like a must-win Premier League clash, before facing Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday, and then traveling to Manchester City the following weekend.

With injuries to key figures such as Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak, Ryan Gravenberch, Jeremie Frimpong, and Curtis Jones, Slot’s options remain limited, forcing the Dutchman to juggle his resources in the midst of a grueling schedule.

For Crystal Palace, however, the story is entirely different. Glasner’s men, who have now beaten Liverpool three times since August, continue to impress with their disciplined defense and ruthless counterattacks. Their reward for this latest triumph is a fifth-round trip to Arsenal, setting up another challenging but enticing cup tie for the South London side.

The result at Anfield may be remembered as one of the standout moments of Palace’s season—and perhaps as a turning point in Liverpool’s increasingly troubled campaign.