Steven Gerrard rejects Liverpool ‘crisis’ but warns ‘terrible run’ could continue unless major change is made

1. Sport
2. Football

Gerrard admitted that Liverpool are ‘bleeding’ and said their dismal run could get worse unless they find a way to fix their defensive issues

Get the Adam Clery Football Column. A newsletter that unpacks the absurdities and oddities of the beautiful game

The ACFC newsletter: unpacking football’s absurdities

Unpack football’s oddities with the ACFC newsletter

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Steven Gerrard has insisted that Liverpool are not yet in a “crisis” but warned that their dismal run of form could get even worse unless Arne Slot finds a solution to the lack of balance in the team.

Liverpool lost for the ninth time in 12 games as Slot’s side collapsed at home against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday, just a few days after their shock defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Reds are on their worst run of results in more than 70 years and have conceded at least three goals in their last three defeats. The mood inside Anfield was bleak as PSV won 4-1, with Slot now under pressure despite lifting the Premier League title just six months ago.

"Crisis is a very strong word and disrespectful to the players and manager who have served this football club," former Liverpool captain Gerrard said on TNT Sports.

“I wouldn't use that word but this team is on a terrible run, they just keep bleeding. They're wide open and unless the manager can find a solution it's going to continue.”

Slot admitted that there is a frailty to the champions and Liverpool have conceded at least three goals in three consecutive games for the third time in 33 years.

• Liverpool ‘past being angry’ as Arne Slot fights for his future after humiliating Champions League defeat
• Arne Slot responds to Liverpool sack speculation after ‘shock’ of worst run for 70 years
• No way out for crisis-ridden Liverpool as PSV run rampant in Anfield humiliation

“They’re conceding too many goals, they’re so vulnerable in transition,” Gerrard said. “Anfield tells the story, the stands were starting to empty as the third went in.

“Liverpool’s problems have become deeper and they need to do a lot of soul searching for sure.”

Afterwards, Slot admitted that speculation surrounding his future is fair but insisted he doesn’t feel under pressure.

“It is a shock for everyone, for the players, for me, this is very, very unexpected,” Slot said. “I am feeling safe, I am okay though.

“It would be nice to turn it around and get a victory but if you are working as a coach and not doing well then it is normal that questions are asked.

“If any manager around the world loses football games, let alone as many as we have lost, it’s quite normal people have an opinion about that. If it’s fair or unfair, it’s for other people to judge. Is that normal? I think it is. If you lose so many times, people start talking about that.

“I have got a lot of support from above. I am okay with my position. They [the board] don’t call every single minute of the day to say they trust me but in the normal conversations we have, I feel the trust.”

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones also summed up the frustration around Anfield after the Reds fell to their ninth defeat in 12 games.

"I don’t have the answers. Honestly, I don’t. I’m saying that to everybody. It’s just unacceptable,” Jones said to Irish broadcaster RTE.

"I don’t even have to wait to think about it. I’m past being angry inside. I’m at the point now where I just don’t have the words.

"It’s hard because I’m playing for the team I support. I’m a fan, and I’ve seen this club all my life.

"In a long, long time, I haven’t experienced a Liverpool team going through a period like this with results like these.”

More about

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Most popular

Popular videos

Bulletin

Read next