Steven Gerrard has defended under-pressure Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and called out 'certain individuals'
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has launched to the defence of Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: )
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Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard believes criticism of Arne Slot has been "too harsh" and accused "certain individuals" of letting the boss down. The former captain has tipped the Reds' head coach to turn their fortunes around amid increasing pressure.
The Premier League-winning tactician has heeded their torrid run of form, guiding them to a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions. However, he has been levelled with criticism after his side were held to six draws, the latest coming in a 1-1 draw with strugglers Burnley.
With that, pressure has continued to build on the former Feyenoord boss, and in the build-up to Wednesday's Champions League clash with Marseille, Slot was asked about whether former midfielder Xabi Alonso could replace him.
Gerrard dismissed concerns around Slot despite admitting that Liverpool cannot fail to beat the likes of Burnley at home and tipped the Dutchman to bring the good times back to Anfield.
He said on TNT Sports ahead of the Marseille clash: "Yeah, I think, as the Liverpool manager, being around the club for a long time, when results are not consistent, in terms of winning, you expect tough questions, you expect tough times.
"I'm not one who will search for that type of stuff on social media. Joe (Hart who was in the studio as well) will tell you that that comes with the territory. I'm not sure all of them will be Liverpool fans that are trying to throw dirt towards Arne and the team.
"But listen, he will know that the results have been inconsistent this year. He'll know more than anyone. He came into the club and inherited a fantastic squad and he done an incredible job last year, made Liverpool champions.
"So for me it's important that we don't have a short memory as well. He has had issues to deal with this year, he has had injuries to key players, and he signed a lot of players, so there was always going to be a transitional period in terms of players settling.
Arne Slot manager of Liverpool
Slot has been under pressure all season, with Liverpool struggling to hit the heights of last season(Image: Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)
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"He's also had some of his big players, his big hitters that are not in top form, and I think certain individuals have probably let him down a little bit this season in terms of being at their best and being the best version of themselves.
"So he has had to deal with a lot different things that he did compared to last season but some of the criticism has been too harsh and too strong in my opinion because six months ago, he won us, as a Liverpool fan, the championship.
"We have to remember that and respect that and give him the chance to pull this Liverpool team through this bad patch, let him get as strongest players on the pitch, let him get his best players back into form and then I've got every confidence that he can fix the issues that he's got."
Following the results on Tuesday night, namely Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Inter Milan losing, Liverpool secured qualification for the playoffs.
They faced a trip to Marseille on Wednesday, looking to take a huge stride to automatically qualify for the Round of 16.
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