Former Liverpool capatain bemoaned current coach Arne Slot for blaming "low blocks" for the side's poor Premier Legue form after big Champions League win against Marseille
00:36, 22 Jan 2026
Steven Gerrard
Steven Gerrard gave an honest verdict on Liverpool coach Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Even though coach Arne Slot's Liverpool team hardly looked dominant for large portions of Wednesday's match against Marseille, his side was clinical enough to secure a 3-0 win.
The win comes amid four consecutive draws in the Premier League, where, aside from a match against Arsenal, the Reds have faced inferior opposition (Burnley, Fulham, and Leeds).
This prompted Slot to admit in his post-Marseille interview that his side plays better when "both teams want to play out from the back [and] press," adding that you "need completely different quality against a low block."
Steven Gerrard, in the studio, was pleased with Liverpool's performance against Marseille but was upset with the "low block excuse."
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“He needs to stop mentioning low blocks," the longtime Liverpool captain said. "Low blocks have been happening at Liverpool ever 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 to find solutions. You’ve got the players, you’ve got to find the solutions, and you’ll turn those low block games into wins rather than draws."
Liverpool ran into trouble against Burnley's low block over the weekend, managing just a single goal on 32 shots, 3.18 xG, and 73% possession. A Marcus Edwards second-half equalizer secured an unlikely away point for the Clarets.
“In a low block, it has not so much to do with what you prepare before the game," Slot said. "You just have the ball a lot, you get in the final third, and something should happen."
Arne Slot
Slot lauds the Liverpool fans after the side's strong performance(Image: Getty Images)
He also added that the Reds have shown up against big teams and put in strong performances, including in early-season losses to Chelsea and Manchester City.
Gerrard warned that Slot and Liverpool will continue to face low blocks. “It’s not going to change. It’s what this team is going to face; they’ll probably face a low block at times against Bournemouth at the weekend," he continued.
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"But they’ve got to be ruthless, they’ve got to show their talent, the big players have got to step forward and score the big goals that are needed to win that type of game. Because they are difficult to win."
The win sends the Reds to fourth in the Champions League on 18 points. A win against Qarabag next week at Anfield will give Liverpool an automatic bye into the Round of 16.