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Chris Sutton baffled by what he’s heard said about Liverpool now
Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle at the weekend.
The Premier League leaders lost 1-0 to Plymouth on Sunday, and, inevitably, there was a lot of chat after the game about the value placed on the FA Cup these days.
Indeed, Liverpool fielded a heavily rotated squad at the weekend, in turn, potentially devaluing the cup competition.
Some big names did start the match, but they didn’t perform as fans criticised Luis Diaz, while Federico Chiesa was also in the firing line.
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman have got into a debate about Liverpool’s squad rotation.
Ladyman defended Arne Slot’s decision to rotate his squad, claiming that it would’ve been self-sabotage to field a full strength team with so many tough games coming up.
However, Sutton disagreed, saying that it’s ridiculous to suggest that Liverpool were right to play a weakened team against Plymouth, especially after they lost 1-0.
Chris Sutton baffled by Liverpool rotation argument
Sutton and Ladyman argued about the merits and demerits of rotating in the FA Cup.
The journalist said that Slot was right to rotate his side, but Sutton, quite vehemently, disagreed.
“So that’s the priority. If you’re Arne Slot and you’re looking at those fixtures that I just read out in the next 15 games, away games at Villa, away games at City, home against Newcastle, away at Everton, if you’re looking at those fixtures, I think it’s almost suicidal to pick a strong team at Plymouth. Almost suicidal to pick a strong team at Plymouth,” The host said.
“What is your argument based upon?” Sutton asked.
“What I’m saying is you’re not a sports scientist. You’re just throwing out, you think it’s suicidal for Liverpool to do what they’ve done and play a weakened team. But to say it’s suicidal, I mean, that’s ridiculous.”
Liverpool’s fixtures analysed
Sutton says that it’s ridiculous to say that Liverpool were right to rotate against Plymouth, but Ladyman does have a point here.
Liverpool are clearly prioritising the Premier League, and they have some very tough games coming up, and their fixture list is jam-packed at the moment.
Due to Storm Darragh, Liverpool’s game against Everton earlier this season was postponed, and that is now set to be played this week.
Liverpool needed their players to be rested for this Everton game. After all, the Reds know only too well how these sorts of matches can affect a title race.
Indeed, Liverpool have lost the chance to win the league by one point on two separate occasions in recent years, and back in the 2018/19 season, a 0-0 draw against Everton was ultimately decisive as they were the final two points Liverpool dropped that season.
Yes, Liverpool have done themselves a disservice by not giving the FA Cup all they have, but in this season of all seasons where the Premier League title is within reach, you can somewhat excuse the decision to heavily rotate against Plymouth.