'Five new signings has upset the dressing room': Liverpool under siege after 3-0 horror show

It might seem inconceivable after Arne Slot piloted Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season at the helm.

But the Dutch manager is coming under increasing pressure to steady the ship after the Reds slumped to yet another alarming loss, their sixth in their last seven games, while being knocked out of the EFL Cup on Thursday (AEDT).

Liverpool were battered 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the domestic competition at Anfield.

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Senegal star Ismaila Sarr closed out the first half with a quickfire double in the 41st and 45th minutes to put Palace up 2-0 at the break.

An already foul mood in the stands darkened further when Liverpool's Amara Nallo was sent off in the 79th minute for committing a foul on Justin Devenny as the last defender.

The 18-year-old centre back has played just 16 minutes of first-team football and been red carded twice.

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EFL Cup elimination in itself won't worry the Liverpool board too much.

But the manner of the defeat, on top of the club's Premier League troubles, will be a major concern after spending $895 million in the off season.

That was a Premier League record for most spending in one window.

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But Liverpool sit just seventh on the ladder with five wins and four losses - and fans left their seats at Anfield before the final whistle.

Slot's side lost only four times in the last league season as they ended Manchester City's stranglehold on the trophy.

Liverpool are seven points off the pace set by leaders Arsenal and face another tricky assignment at home to Aston Villa on Sunday (AEDT).

"It's not of Liverpool standards to lose six out of seven," Slot said.

"Every Liverpool game is a must win."

The night marked the first time Liverpool had lost a domestic cup match at Anfield by three goals without scoring since 1934 in a 3-0 defeat by Bolton in the FA Cup.

It was also the league champions' third loss to Palace this season.

"I don't know how often this happens when you play the champions three times within three months, and you win three times," Palace boss Oliver Glasner said.

"So credit to the players."

The Reds are 10th of 36 teams in the Champions League.

Mark Bosnich voiced his concerns for Slot before the Palace game on Stan Sport's Added Time.

"Five new signings has upset the dressing room," Bosnich said.

"When he starts to lose, he starts clutching at straws… it hasn't worked. These next four games coming up he has to be very careful."

Craig Foster added: "It's a rebuild what Slot is doing - how much money would they pay to get someone like Trent Alexander-Arnold back (from Real Madrid)?"

Liverpool fielded a weakened team and got duly punished by Palace, who joined Arsenal, City, Chelsea, Newcastle United in the quarter-finals.

This latest loss can at least be explained by Slot resting most of his top players - like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak - and not even putting them on the bench.

A team filled mostly with youngsters was cut apart by Sarr, who also scored against Liverpool in the Community Shield and the Premier League this season.

Arsenal record breaker

Max Dowman became Arsenal's youngest ever starter, at 15 years, 302 days, in the team's 2-0 win over Brighton.

The league leaders also played a weakened team but that didn't affect them, with Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka - on as a substitute for Dowman - netting the goals.

"A very special evening for obvious reasons," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said.

"We made 10 changes, we played players that have never played together. Two debuts for Max and Andre (Harriman-Annous, 17). That feeling is unique."

City comeback

City came from behind to beat second-tier Swansea 3-1, with Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki scoring.

Prolific City striker Erling Haaland was rested completely, not even making it onto the bench.

Chelsea beat Wolverhampton 4-3, after going 3-0 up by halftime.

Liam Delap made his comeback from injury for Chelsea and was sent off in the 86th.

- with agencies