Arne Slot could be tempted by a drastic solution to solve Liverpool’s poor form.
The defending Premier League champions have lost four successive top-flight matches for the first time since 2021 with just one win in their last six outings across all competitions.
Slot is set to rest some of his big names against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup Round of 16 with Mohamed Salah amongst those expected to be given the night off by the Dutch coach.
17-year-old Rio Ngumoha is on course to start – as he did in the previous round’s win over Southampton – on the back of scoring a sensational first-ever Premier League goal against Newcastle United back in August.
However, Ngumoha might not be the only teenager involved against the Eagles, as Slot looks to shake things up in his struggling squad.
Trey Nyoni could start in midfield and 19-year-old Trent Kone-Doherty is set for a place on the bench.
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Kone Doherty has rocketed through the Liverpool youth ranks following his 2022 move from Derry City with a regular role in the U19 and U21 teams this season.
Slot handed him a senior debut in the FA Cup loss to Plymouth Argyle last season and he trained on a rotating basis with the first team since then.
Alongside making his Republic of Ireland U21 debut earlier this season, he scored twice in the UEFA Youth League victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, and Slot is ready to give him a chance on either side of his forward line in place of Salah or Cody Gakpo.
If he impresses off the bench against Palace, Slot is tipped to keep the Irishman in his plans for the Premier League moving forward, as the former Feyenoord boss tries to find a solution to his stuttering form.
