Close-up of Steven Gerrard.
Steve Gerrard gave his view on the current Liverpool situation. (Image: Getty Images)
Although he was at the City Ground and not Anfield, Steven Gerrard's disappointment at Liverpool squandering more points was evident. The 1-1 draw with Burnley means the Reds have made history as the first reigning Premier League champions to fail to defeat any of the three promoted clubs at home in a single season.
This follows the 0-0 and 1-1 draws with Leeds and Sunderland respectively. While the result extended Liverpool's unbeaten streak in all competitions to 12 matches, 10 of which were in the league, there was little reason for jubilation. In fact, the frustration among fans was clearly audible when the final whistle blew.
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Legendary Reds midfielder Gerrard wasn't present to hear the boos but, serving as a pundit on TNT Sports' live coverage of leaders Arsenal's 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest, he stated that the result was not "acceptable".
While the 45-year-old acknowledged that a "lot of criticism" will be directed towards Arne Slot, Gerrard's comments surprisingly ended with him backing the head coach.
He claimed that Slot "deserves credit" for halting the downward spiral after a series of nine losses in 12 games saw his team bow out of the Carabao Cup and effectively end their title defence hopes.
Now, it seems the pinnacle of the Reds' league aspirations is securing a top-four finish. Currently sitting fourth, they are just one point ahead of Manchester United, two above Chelsea, and three above Brentford and Sunderland.
Gerrard expressed his disappointment, stating: "That won't be acceptable – a draw with Burnley at home, with all due respect. If you're being critical of the Liverpool team – even though they're on a better run in terms of unbeaten games – the draws to the likes of Leeds and Burnley at home. That's not acceptable.
"There will be a lot of criticism that comes the manager's way again. But give the manager credit. The last time we spoke about this, you asked me if the team was in a crisis, and I said I didn't think it was in a crisis because I felt like this manager was capable of making things better and steadying the ship.
"He has moved the team from the middle of the table and up back into the Champions League positions.
Arne Slot looking down and dejected.
Arne Slot has faced backlash this season. (Image: Getty Images)
"I think that will be a priority for him and the team, minimum top four this season, but that won't take anything away from the criticism that will come his way."
Slot, who guided the Reds to the title in his debut season, addressed the boos at full-time following a match where Burnley managed to secure a point thanks to Marcus Edwards' 65th-minute equaliser, which nullified an outstanding first-half goal from Florian Wirtz.
The result did little to help the second-bottom Clarets' fight for survival. Their winless streak in the Premier League has now extended to 13 matches, and they remain eight points from safety after fourth-bottom Forest held Arsenal to a clean sheet.
Slot said: "In my head, it wasn't a boo but in my head. It was frustration as well. We are Liverpool and we play Burnley, who we have to give credit to how they defended, cleared balls off the line; all the things you want to see if you are a Burnley manager, players try to do everything that prevents us from scoring.
"But if we, as Liverpool, are not disappointed by having a draw against Burnley at home then something is completely wrong. I completely understand the frustration. I am the same and the players definitely have the same frustrations as the fans have."
The Reds face a vital Champions League encounter at Marseille on Wednesday before returning to top-flight duties on Saturday with a trip to Bournemouth.