Gerrard issues warning after Liverpool’s win over Marseille
Steven Gerrard has issued a warning to Arne Slot after the Liverpool Manager admitted his side struggles against facing a low block. Liverpool cruised to a convincing 3-0 triumph against Marseille on Wednesday evening, propelling themselves into fourth position in the Champions League table, reports BritPanorama.
The victory at the Stade Velodrome significantly boosted the Reds’ prospects of securing a top-eight finish, enabling them to bypass the knockout play-off round. Following the game, Slot told TNT Sports that the Premier League champions could produce similar performances more often if teams didn’t sit so deep.
Slot remarked, “I know so well why we are not consistent. That mainly has to do with when a game is more open, when players can play through the lines and tactics are involved, and they show how good they are, that’s completely different from against a low block.” He further explained, “You need a completely different quality against a low block. Against a low block, it doesn’t have much to do with what you prepare before the game. You just have the ball a lot, get in the final third, and something should happen.”
Despite the performance, Gerrard stressed that Slot must find ways to address the problem of breaking down defensive setups. “He needs to stop mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been happening at Liverpool since I played and many, many years before me. That’s just the way it is; teams are going to try and do everything they can to stop Liverpool. The key is finding solutions. You’ve got the players. Then you’ll turn the low-block games into wins rather than draws. It’s not going to change,” Gerrard advised.
Slot also reiterated his views when speaking with CBS Sports, noting, “Today we didn’t face a low block and we played a very good game. If you face a low block, it’s very hard to get pace into the game.” The match saw Dominik Szoboszlai’s ingenious set-piece break the deadlock, followed by an unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, which doubled the advantage. Substitute Cody Gakpo wrapped up proceedings with a late strike.
It was a much-needed win for Liverpool, who have experienced a significant drop in form, highlighted by a record of five wins in 17 Premier League games, statistically worse than the Roy Hodgson era at the club. This period included nine defeats in 12 matches across all competitions, leading to speculation regarding Slot’s job security, with Gerrard being among the names floated as a potential replacement for his former club.
The intricacies of tackling the low block remain a critical challenge for Liverpool as they adapt to the evolving dynamics of modern football. It serves as a reminder that even seasoned managers must navigate the complexities of their tactical approaches in pursuit of domestic and international success.
