Micah Richards has come to the defense of Liverpool manager Arne Slot following the Reds’ shocking FA Cup exit to Plymouth Argyle.
Slot’s decision to rotate his squad, resting key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, backfired as Liverpool’s second-string lineup failed to deliver against the Championship side.
Richards, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, supported Slot’s approach, highlighting Liverpool’s packed schedule and ongoing commitments in the Premier League and Champions League.
“Of course, no one wants to go out of a competition, but you have to consider the bigger picture,” Richards said. “Liverpool are competing on multiple fronts, and rotating the squad was a necessary risk.”
The pundit also dismissed criticism of the players who stepped in, stating, “It would be disrespectful to say the replacements weren’t good enough. They’re talented, but Plymouth were the better team on the day.”
While the FA Cup exit is a setback, it could benefit Liverpool in the long run. With fewer fixtures, Slot’s side can now focus on their Premier League title chase and Champions League ambitions, potentially avoiding fatigue and injuries as the season reaches its climax.
Micah Richards’ defense of Slot’s rotation policy underscores the challenges of managing a top-tier squad across multiple competitions. For Liverpool, the priority remains clear: silverware in the league and Europe.
