Arne Slot to Rotate Liverpool Squad for FA Cup Tie at Plymouth | OneFootball

Liverpool Prepare for FA Cup Clash with Plymouth Argyle

Slot Eyes Squad Rotation Ahead of Busy Week

Arne Slot is set to shuffle his pack as Liverpool gear up for their Emirates FA Cup fourth-round encounter against Plymouth Argyle on Sunday afternoon. The Reds, fresh from securing a place in the Carabao Cup final with a dominant 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, face a hectic schedule with a Merseyside derby against Everton looming just three days later.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Home Park, Slot confirmed his intentions to rotate the squad. “It is true that if you play with a team that hasn’t played so much together, that is always for the players a bit more difficult,” he admitted. However, he remained confident in his squad’s depth, referencing a previous Champions League fixture: “We have seen already a few times when we played with a team that hasn’t played much together – even in Eindhoven – these players were able to play a very good game.”

Slot emphasised the importance of giving fringe players game time: “It’s important at these moments for some players that don’t get [much] playing time to have that playing time, so whenever we need them they are ready.” Final decisions on the line-up will be made closer to matchday.

Key Absentees for Liverpool

Liverpool will be without vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, who continues his recovery from an injury sustained against AFC Bournemouth. Midfielder Tyler Morton is also sidelined with a shoulder issue.

James McConnell remains with the senior squad, stepping up in Morton’s absence. Slot praised the youngster’s contributions: “I see him on the training pitch competing with all our other midfielders, and then I see a player that is competing with them. Always gives everything he has.”

Photo: IMAGO

Plymouth Bolstered by Captain’s Imminent Return

Plymouth Argyle, under the stewardship of head coach Miron Muslic, are hopeful of having captain Joe Edwards back in the fold after a lengthy hamstring injury layoff. Muslic lauded Edwards’ leadership: “He supported us anyway, all the way, even in his injury. It says a lot about his personality, says a lot about his character. That’s a proper captain.”

However, defenders Brendan Galloway and Joe Hatch are ruled out for the season, while Kornel Szucs, recently back in training, may miss the tie against Liverpool.

Plymouth’s Resilient Approach

Since Muslic’s January appointment, Plymouth have shown resilience, recording two wins, two draws, and two losses. The Pilgrims favour a three-at-the-back formation and have demonstrated their ability to frustrate opponents. Muslic acknowledged the challenge ahead: “Liverpool is another step, Liverpool is another category. Liverpool can find another gear very, very quickly and that’s OK, we won’t stop this, but we have also some things that we can show, and we can also learn from this game.”

As Liverpool navigate a packed fixture list, Sunday’s FA Cup tie offers an opportunity for emerging talents to shine, while Plymouth will aim to spring an upset against Premier League giants.