Liverpool got exactly what they deserved on Sunday after failing to turn up for the Carabao Cup final.

The Reds have been brilliant for much of the season, but have suffered a really damaging week.

After being knocked out of the Champions League by PSG, the cup final defeat against Newcastle further laid bare the problems within the Liverpool squad.

For a lot of supporters, Liverpool’s issue has been a lack of rotation throughout much of the campaign.

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With Arne Slot keen to keep rhythm amongst his best players, he has failed to keep them fresh for when it really matters.

But with Jones usually giving Mac Allister a rest, Gravenberch has been going again and again.

The Dutchman will perhaps be better for playing so much this season after a couple of years of relative inactivity.

But as seen in the Carabao Cup final – and in other games recently – it has taken it’s toll.

READ MORE: Arne Slot owes Federico Chiesa a big apology after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle

With Slot not trusting Wataru Endo to start matches, it’s blatantly clear that a transfer priority has to be bringing in a player who the boss is happy to put in to give Gravenberch a rest.

And in our opinion, Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller ticks every box.

The 24-year-old has a reported release clause of around £34m, which would not break the bank for Liverpool.

At that kind of price, the Reds can afford to bring Stiller in as a quality rotational option who can both ease the burden on Gravenberch and perhaps even develop into a long-term starter.

You can understand the logic behind what Slot has tried to do with the likes of Gravenberch this season.

You want your best players on the pitch as often as possible, that’s clear.

Successful PassesPass AccuracyTackles WonDuels WonChances CreatedRyan Gravenberch1,32189.3%53.8%57.8%23Angelo Stiller1,74289.4%52.4%58.9%41

But with so many high intensity games coming over the course of Liverpool’s season, Slot has quite clearly overplayed his hand.

Given that it’s his first season in English football, it is not a surprise to see the Dutchman have to cop for a learning curve like this one.

He likes a smaller playing squad and that’s fine.

But when it comes to the crunch of the season, the only way to keep key men like Gravenberch fit and firing is by giving them sufficient time off, too.

You have to trust your squad, and with Slot obviously not fancying the likes of Endo from the start, Liverpool absolutely have to bring in someone who suits the boss.
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