Steven Gerrard has never been one to hide his feelings about Liverpool. And after watching the Reds get thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, the club’s iconic former captain didn’t hold back.
Speaking to , Gerrard voiced serious concern over both the team’s mentality and Arne Slot’s future.
Liverpool’s only remaining shot at silverware is the Champions League, with a daunting two-legged tie against PSG up next. But for Gerrard, the warning signs are already flashing.
“Really worrying and concerning”, Gerrard slams Liverpool’s collapse
Gerrard was particularly alarmed by how easily his former side crumbled at the Etihad. “It was really worrying and concerning in the way that Liverpool did crumble, and also even more alarming what the players are saying after the game.”
He added: “In terms of saying there’s no fight, you know, we gave the game up. At Liverpool Football Club, that can’t happen on the pitch and it certainly can’t be said off the pitch. So, worrying times I must say.”
The reference was to Virgil van Dijk’s post-match interview, which suggested the players had downed tools. For a club built on fighting spirit, that admission cut deep.
Steven Gerrard: The Fulham game could decide Slot’s fate
With Liverpool sitting fifth in the Premier League, five points adrift of Aston Villa and six behind Manchester United, Gerrard believes the coming days are defining. Sandwiched between the two PSG legs is a league clash with Fulham at Anfield.
“I think the Fulham game is just as important and I think if the ownership and the people above see that gap to Villa and United stretches or gets any worse, I worry for the manager’s position and I don’t want to see it happen.”
Steven Gerrard made clear he remains a fan of Slot. “I am a huge fan of Arne Slot, he’s obviously a good coach.” But the former Liverpool skipper knows how quickly things can turn at a club with such high standards.
“If the week goes the other way, the pressure will come”
The former Liverpool midfielder urged the current squad to seize the moment. “I think they’ve got an opportunity this week to try and galvanise something from the season. So far, I think the players have admitted it, the managers have admitted it hasn’t been good enough, but they’ve still got a chance this week.”
He added: “They’ve got to stand up and be counted individually and collectively. They’ve got to stick together, and they’ve got to try and grasp the opportunity.”
But the warning was clear. “If the week goes the other way, and they don’t do that, and they don’t try and galvanise something from the season, unfortunately the pressure, the heat, the intensity is going to come even more on the players, and certainly on Arne Slot as well, which from a fan point of view right now, I don’t want to see.”
Gerrard’s words are a massive warning to Arne Slot, who is facing increasing pressure. The next seven days will tell us everything.
