Several Liverpool stars are under fire for their performances this season creating intense pressure on Arne Slot and pundit Alan Shearer has waded in on the debate
Mohamed Salah has come under fire from a number of pundits for his recent performances.
Mohamed Salah has come under fire from a number of pundits for his recent performances.
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Alan Shearer has sided with former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher in calling on Liverpool quartet Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez to improve. The Reds have lost nine of their last 12 games in all competitions and pressure is starting to mount on boss Arne Slot.
Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats at Anfield, losing to struggling Nottingham Forest 3-0 before they were thrashed 4-1 by PSV in the Champions League. As a result, the odds have tumbled on Slot being relieved from his position, with former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso among the bookmakers favourites to take over at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has also been linked with a stunning return to the club, while PSG manager Luis Enrique is reported to have admirers at Anfield. Shearer has blasted Liverpool's recent performances saying the Reds have issues all over the pitch and have huge concerns heading into the festive period.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said: "I think the damaging thing for Arne Slot and for Liverpool at the minute is the manner of the defeats. If you're going down and you're unlucky, conceding unlucky or last-minute goals, then you say, okay, there's plenty to work on.
"But the manner of the defeat… it's hard enough losing any game, but the way they're being beat has to be a huge concern because they’re all over the place. If it was one problem, maybe you could fix it, but there’s issues all over the pitch. In forward positions they look devoid of ideas.
"Defensively it’s a massive worry, they’re struggling for a right-back, and [Dominik] Szoboszlai started there. Then [Curtis] Jones went in there. Kerkez has been really poor.
"Van Dijk, well you look to your captain to put in big performances, yet Virgil’s performances… he looks leggy, slow, puzzled. He’s a shadow of the player from last season, as is Konaté. I suppose you can say that about any Liverpool player right now.
"We’re talking about him because he’s the captain and voice of the dressing room. His words at the weekend were concerning, saying they need to look at themselves, do better, roll up their sleeves, and fight.
Virgil van Dijk looks on
Virgil van Dijk has said that the players need to take responsibility(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
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"Well, he’s got to lead by example, and at the minute, he’s a shadow of himself. You can say the same about Salah, Konaté, and most of the new signings, other than Ekitike, who went off injured.
"Even then, Slot left him out at the weekend, which I thought was strange. Other than him, there’s not a lot of responsibility being shown."
Shearer also responded to recent comments made by Jamie Carragher, who took aim at Salah in particular. The former Liverpool defender said: "I want him to come out and do an interview and speak to the Liverpool supporters about what the players are going to do, about what's going on in the dressing room, giving the supporters hope that things are going to improve."
Taking Carragher's side, Shearer added: "Jamie Carragher pointed out that Salah is quick to speak when he gets Man of the Match or is negotiating a new contract, and I understand that side of it.
"But the time for talking is on the pitch, not off it. Whether you do interviews or not is irrelevant, you do your talking with performances.
"Salah isn’t doing that, Van Dijk isn’t, and many others aren’t either. That’s the real concern."
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