Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Arne Slot has been under fire this season amid a run of poor results and performances from Liverpool.
Ahead of the meeting with Marseille in the Champions League, the Reds have managed to go on a 12-game unbeaten run.
However, a more detailed look at those games shows things are not going as smoothly as the streak may suggest.
Milos Kerkez pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Brighton at Anfield.
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
Liverpool have edged out narrow wins against weak opposition like Wolves and a nine-man Tottenham Hotspur.
They have also been held against some mid to lower-league sides, most recently drawing 1-1 with Burnley.
What Steven Gerrard said about Arne Slot
The Clarets have spent much of 2025/26 in the relegation zone, and drawing at home to them was unacceptable in the eyes of Steven Gerrard.
Covering the stalemate as a pundit for TNT Sports, Gerrard gave a blunt assessment of Slot’s Liverpool.
He said: “Well that won’t be acceptable, a draw with Burnley at home, with all due respect. And I’m critical of the Liverpool team even though they are on a better run in terms of unbeaten games.
“The draws to Leeds and Burnley at home, you know and I know, that’s not acceptable. There will be a lot of criticism that comes the manager’s way again.”
Criticism of Slot has become more common in recent months, with a run of nine defeats in 12 followed by a number of disappointing performances.
Reports earlier this week suggested Liverpool plan to dismiss the manager in the summer.
Arne Slot looks on ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro (Credit: Getty Images).
Arne Slot looks on ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan at San Siro (Credit: Getty Images).
Phil Thompson ‘shocked’ by Steven Gerrard comments
But even with all signs pointing towards a change at some point in 2026, former player Phil Thompson was still left ‘shocked’ by Gerrard’s recent comments.
“Are you worried when people like Steven Gerrard are voicing concerns? Does that worry you?” The host of the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast with Sam Allardyce asked.
“Voicing concerns about the manager?” Thompson asked.
“Has he been doing that?” Allardyce responded. “Apparently he has,” the host said.
“Well, I haven’t heard that. You’ve literally shocked me. I would be surprised if he’s quite, if he’s been quite open like that,” Thompson replied.
Gerrard is not one to be openly critical for the sake of it, unlike some pundits away from Liverpool.
So if the former midfielder is voicing his concerns, it does seem to suggest there are some big issues right now.
A win over Marseille could ease some of the pressure on Slot, but defeat will likely mean Liverpool’s hopes of a top-eight finish are over, and that really doesn’t help anyone.