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Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is “completely happy” with his Liverpool squad despite recent suggestions that he was concerned about the depth available to him.

The Reds bowed out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, beaten 3-0 at home by Crystal Palace after Slot elected to field a largely youthful and inexperienced team.

Slot gave starts to three teenagers and had a further five among his substitutes as he made 10 changes to the team that lost 3-2 at Brentford on Saturday – their fourth league defeat in a row.

After the Palace game, Slot said maybe his selection “gives a little bit of insight” into the squad depth he is working with.

The Dutchman, who led Liverpool to last season’s Premier League title in his first campaign, also highlighted that Manchester City and Chelsea were able to rotate without hugely weakening their starting line-ups as both clubs advanced to the quarter-finals.

But, in the build-up to Saturday’s Premier League home game against Aston Villa (20:00 GMT), Slot has backtracked and insists he is “happy” with his options.

“We miss nothing,” Slot said.

After winning their opening seven games of the season across all competitions, Liverpool have lost six of the past seven.

They have slipped to seventh in the Premier League table and trail leaders Arsenal by seven points, leading to some fans questioning whether Slot is the right man to take Liverpool forward.

All of this comes after a record-breaking summer of investment at Anfield when the club embarked on the biggest summer spending spree in European football history – parting with £415m to recruit a stellar collection of talent.

The previous record was held by Chelsea who spent £400m in the summer of 2023 and Liverpool were prepared to hand over a further £35m to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi until the deal collapsed as the transfer window closed.

Striker Alexander Isak was the last player through the door on 1 September for a British-record £125m.

Isak, 26, downed tools at Newcastle and trained alone as he looked to force through to move to Merseyside, meaning he missed an entire pre-season.

Liverpool have also been without several key players – including Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch – because of injury during the opening months of the campaign.

“I am completely convinced by the strategy and the policy that we have but that makes the issue – if you call it an issue – is not all of them have had a proper pre-season or have been injured,” Slot added.

“When three or four are injured you go back to 16 players. I am a firm believer that 20 or 21 players is enough but you have to keep them fit as we did last season.

“Alex [Isak] is a great example of this. A few others have missed out on pre-season or had injuries during pre-season.

Despite recent claims that he was concerned about the depth at his disposal, Liverpool manager Arne Slot claims to be “completely happy” with his team.

After Slot chose to field a largely unexperienced and relatively young team, the Reds opted to bow out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, falling 3-0 at home to Crystal Palace.

The team lost to Brentford on Saturday, their fourth league defeat in a row, to start with a start that included three teenagers and five more as substitutes.

After the Palace game, Slot claimed that his choice “gives a little insight” into the depth of the squad he is working with.

The Dutchman, who helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season in his first campaign, also made it clear that Manchester City and Chelsea could rotate without significantly altering their starting lineups as they advanced to the quarter-finals.

However, Slot has backtracked and asserts he is “happy” with his options ahead of Saturday’s Premier League home game against Aston Villa (20:00 GMT).

Slot remarked, “We miss nothing.”

Liverpool have lost six of their first seven games in all competitions, winning seven of them overall.

Some fans are debating whether Slot is the right man to take Liverpool forward as they drop to seventh place in the Premier League table and are seven points clear of Arsenal.

All of this comes after Anfield’s record-breaking summer of investment, when the club went on the biggest summer spending spree in history, donating $ 415 million to help the club develop a formidable talent pool.

Chelsea spent $ 400 million in the summer of 2023, and Liverpool was prepared to pay another $ 35 million to sign Marc Guehi, but the deal fell apart as the transfer window came to an end.

The last player to pass the £125m mark came from Slovakia on September 1st, with Alexander Isak as the final player.

Isak, 26, sat down tools at Newcastle and practiced alone as he attempted to force his way to Merseyside, which resulted in missed practice for the entire pre-season.

Due to injury in the first few months of the campaign, Liverpool have also been without a number of important players, including Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, and Ryan Gravenberch.

“I am completely persuaded by the strategy and policy we have,” Slot continued, “but the fact that not all of them have had a good pre-season or have been hurt makes the issue.”

“You return to 16 players when three or four of you are injured.” I firmly believe that 20 or 21 players should suffice, but it must be done to maintain their fitness, as we did last year.

The movie “Alex Isak” demonstrates this beautifully. Others have missed the pre-season or suffered injuries while playing.

On Saturday, teams will begin their preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw, which will take place in the same location. They are hoping to score important ranking points.

For the tournament’s group stage in Australia, teams will be divided into six of four pools.

The top six players in the world rankings, which are currently in place in band one for the draw, would avoid playing against one another on the pool stage.

Wales (12th) will want to avoid being eliminated from the second band of teams and facing an even trickier World Cup draw, while Australia (seventh) and Scotland (eighth) will be aiming for strong autumns to break into the top six.

The autumn matches also give head coaches the chance to train and improve their tactics as the World Cup is in two years.

The rankings for World Rugby are based on a “points exchange” system, which allows teams to gain or lose points based on the outcome of the match.

Other factors include the margin of victory, the relative strength of each team, and the allowance for home advantage.

The top 18 teams right now are:

1. South Africa92.20

2. New Zealand90.02

3. Ireland 89.83

4. France 87.82

5. England 87.64

6. Argentina 83.82

7. Australia 83.30

8. Scotland 81.57

9. Fiji 81.16

10. Italy 77.77

11. Georgia 74.69

12. Wales 74.05

13. Japan 73.25

14. Spain 69.12

15. USA 67.40

16. Samoa 66.94

17. Chile 66.72

18. Tonga 66.66

Games against Japan, Australia, and world champion South Africawill follow in Dublin.

It’s a challenging autumn task for Ireland to face the three major southern hemisphere teams, but they are still up there in the rankings with enough points to maintain their position.

Steve Borthwick’s side won seven games in a row after losing three of their four autumn internationals last year.

England is fifth in the world thanks to an impressive series win over Argentina without their Lions stars.

Borthwick’s side will want to make a statement this autumn and surpass France, the previous year’s Six Nations champion, in the rankings.

With their matches against the United States, New Zealand, Argentina, and Tonga, Scotland have a good chance of advancing up the rankings.

The fixture list is favorable, and Gregor Townsend’s side, who won three of their four games last autumn, will relish their chances there.

Scotland will be hoping to get their hands on a potential first win over the All Blacks in history because New Zealandwill depart from Chicago for Edinburgh after a demanding game against Ireland.

On Sunday, November 9, Steve Tandy will take charge of Wales when they play Argentina for the first time.

The first two matches give Tandy the best chance of claiming his first victory, having ended their 18-game losing streak in July against Japan, who they face in their second autumn international.

In their first summer international match, the Brave Blossoms defeated Wales, which places them just below Tandy’s side in the world rankings.

It is a big autumn for Scott Robertson’s New Zealandafter they came up short again to South Africain the Rugby Championship.

Robertson must now put pressure on himself to get better after his first defeat in Argentina and his shock record-breaking defeat against the Springboks.

His team defeated England and Ireland in three of their four games last autumn, and his team won.

At the start of October, the world champions won back-to-back Rugby Championship titles and were at the top of the world rankings.

France and Ireland will play in Dublin, a place where Rassie Erasmus has never won as head coach.

A clean sweep of victories over Japan (at Wembley Stadium), Italy, and Wales would undoubtedly boost South Africa’s standing as the favorites to win the third World Cup in a row.

However, he extended his agreement in April to 2026, when he will hand over Les Kiss with a better squad.

Wins over South Africaand Argentina in the Rugby Championship will give the Wallabies confidence heading into the autumn.

World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka has called on the United States Anti-Doping Agency to “do more” to help prevent the Enhanced Games from taking place.

Speaking to reporters at an event in London on Thursday, Banka described the Enhanced Games – which permits competitors to use performance-enhancing substances under medical supervision – as “very dangerous” and an “irresponsible event”.

Las Vegas is scheduled to host the inaugural Enhanced Games – consisting of track and field, short-course swimming and weightlifting events – in May 2026.

Banka said: “Sometimes we don’t know what to say about this ridiculous idea, because from the ethical point of view, from the moral point of view, how is it possible that people come to agree to compete, taking all these prohibited substances?

“It’s completely against everything that we are doing. It’s very dangerous.

Banka said he was “very keen” to work alongside the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) but “it has to be based on mutual respect”, with tensions between the two organisations being high in recent times.

Earlier this year, Usada said it “fully supported” the US government’s decision to withhold a payment of $3.6m (£2.8m) to the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

That came during a dispute over the handling of a doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers who were cleared to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, despite testing positive for a banned substance months earlier.

An independent investigation found Wada did not mishandle the case or show bias towards the 23 swimmers.

On Thursday, Banka added: “We really want our colleagues from the US to do more to make sure that this event will not happen.

“There are some legal possibilities they can lobby for. Usada has made general comments, but maybe it’s time to try to convince the people who have financed this that it’s dangerous.

BBC Sport has approached Usada for a response to Banka’s comments.

The Enhanced Games were launched as a concept in 2023, with some doping measures permitted under medical supervision.

Only substances approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken, which is different to the list Wada allows for elite athletes.

Those behind the proposal claim it will be the ‘Olympics of the future’, allowing athletes to take drugs in a bid to break ‘world records’.

Founder Aron D’Souza believes athletes should be entitled to do what they wish with their own bodies.

But the Australian businessman’s concept has been heavily criticised for the potential impact on athletes’ health, and undermining fair play.

Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, has urged the US Anti-Doping Agency to “do more” to stop the Enhanced Games from taking place.

Banka described the Enhanced Games as “very dangerous” and an “irresponsible event” at an event held in London on Thursday, speaking to reporters at the time.

The inaugural Enhanced Games, which will include track and field, short-course swimming, and weightlifting competitions, are set for May 2026 in Las Vegas.

How is it possible for people to agree to compete with all these prohibited substances, according to Banka, “Sometimes we don’t know what to say about this ridiculous idea, from the standpoint of ethics and morality?

It goes against everything we do, to be the case. It is a very risky situation.

With recent tensions between the two organizations, Banka claimed he was “very interested” to work alongside the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada), but that “it has to be based on mutual respect.”

Usada stated earlier this year that it “fully supported” the US government’s decision to withhold $3.6 million (£2.8 million) from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

That was brought on by a dispute over how to handle a doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for a banned substance months prior to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Wada was found to not have handled the case improperly or exhibit bias toward the 23 swimmers by an independent investigation.

Banka continued on Thursday, adding, “We really want our US colleagues to do more to prevent this event from occurring.”

They may lobby for some legal causes, they say. Despite Usada’s general comments, it’s time to try to persuade those responsible for funding this to be dangerous.

In response to Banka’s remarks, BBC Sport reached Usada.

In 2023, the Enhanced Games were developed as a concept, and some doping was permitted while under medical supervision.

In contrast to the list Wada allows for elite athletes, only substances that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can be taken.

The proposal, according to those who support it, will be the “Olympics of the future,” allowing athletes to use drugs to break “world records.”

According to founder Aron D’Souza, athletes should be able to use their own bodies however they please.

However, the Australian businessman’s idea has drawn strong criticism for its potential negative effects on athletes’ health and unfairness.

For many, this is the best week of the year because it means the FA Cup First Round is in session, with pumpkins in the windows and the distant rumble of fireworks.

The chances are slim that none of the 80 clubs in action this weekend will still be active by the time the action moves under the Wembley Arch in April.

It’s time to dream big, regardless of when your league season may have begun.

Former champions are locked in, local rivalries are back after a while, eighth-tier tiddlers hoping to win over some big fish, and some real “X-factor” talent as well.

Essex side Maldon &amp, Tiptree, who are at the top of the eighth-tier Isthmian League Division One North, are the team’s lowest-ranked team still participating in the competition.

After going into the extra preliminary round on August 1st, the Jammers defeated Flackwell Heath 1-0 to claim their sixth FA Cup victory of the campaign. That’s already the most wins a Premier League team would need to win the trophy.

Former West Ham international Freddie Sears headed the only goal of the game, while former Newcastle, Queens Park Rangers, and Ipswich striker Macauley Bonne, who is also a member of the ambitious club’s ranks, is Kevin Horlock, former Northern Ireland international.

On Sunday afternoon (15:00 GMT), the Jammers will travel to League One side Port Vale, which is five levels above them, after checking a map for Burslem.

At this point, there are 32 non-league teams, three of which are seventh-tier.

For the first time in 97 years, Isthmian League Premier Division outfit Chatham Town travels to Buxton in the National League North.

The Chats’ divisional rivals St Albans City travel to League One Burton Albion, four tiers above them, at 15:00 on Saturday, while Gainsborough Trinity, the team that defeated Hartlepool in the final round, will attempt to shock fans with another shock against League Two outfit Accrington Stanley.

The trophy has previously been won by nine of the 80 first-round opponents.

Bolton, four-time champions, hosts 1922 champions Huddersfield on Saturday (15:00 GMT), with Wanderers having defeated the Terriers in 1923 and 1929 to claim two of those victories. Could 2026 be their year?

The 1927 champions Cardiff travel to Peterborough at the same time as League One rivals Blackpool, while Scunthorpe, the champions of 1953, travel to the National League.

Hemel Hempstead Town, who defeated Yeovil in the previous round and reached this stage for the third time in 105 attempts, welcome National League South side Wigan Athletic, who are the most recent winners of any team in this year’s first round, having triumphed in 2013 .

The 1911 champions Bradford are traveling to League Two Cheltenham while AFC Wimbledon welcome National League outfit Gateshead to Plough Lane.

The FA Cup First Round action begins on Friday evening (19:30 GMT) with National League side Forest Green Rovers, managed by Robbie Savage, travelling to League One Luton, now led by Jack Wilshere.

The early kick-off of National League South Chelmsford on Saturday (12:00 GMT) features an all-Essex duo playing Braintree, 11 miles away and struggling in the above division.

National League teams hosting League Two clubs will also be able to watch two ties live on BBC2 and the BBC Sport website.

On Saturday (17:30 GMT), Brackley Town vs. Notts County, who won in 1894, will take place, and Eastleigh host Walsall at 14:15 GMT on Sunday, just before League Two Shrewsbury Town welcomes League Two Shrewsbury Town (12:00 GMT).

League Two Barrow will face off against Spennymoor Town in a non-televised game on Saturday afternoon.

League One Exeter will host FC Halifax of the National League on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Yes, it’s always intriguing to see a “cupset,” but trivia enthusiasts might be interested to know that in the 144 years of the FA Cup, there will only be a 46th tie between teams with the letter X in their names.

Who knows, this might be the start of a golden ‘X’ age as Oxford United, Wrexham, and possibly Crewe Alexandra might be waiting in the hat for round two.