Arne Slot has faced a barrage of criticism from sections of the Liverpool fanbase in recent weeks, and Jamie Carragher believes some supporters have gone too far
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher during a CBS Sports Golazo broadcast
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has appealed for calm(Image: CBS Sports)
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Jamie Carragher has slammed sections of the Liverpool fanbase for taking their criticism of Arne Slot too far. He reckons some supporters have been drawn in by quotes taken out of context.
Discontent with Slot has been steadily mounting throughout the season. The manager seemed to have halted the decline following a string of humiliating losses, but the present unbeaten streak has grown increasingly painful, including home stalemates against all three promoted clubs.
The Reds did make a statement with a 3-0 Champions League win over Marseille on Wednesday night, though and Slot's side moved up to fourth in the competition's table, reports Liverpool.com.
It's also important context that Slot brought the Premier League trophy back to Anfield just months earlier. While Xabi Alonso's sudden availability has offered a credible option in the transfer market following his Real Madrid exit, Carragher reckons the Dutch coach warrants greater patience.
Carragher accepted there are numerous problems within the Liverpool squad right now. He backed Slot's early cautious approach in stopping the defeats, but voiced his opinion that it's now time to release the handbrake again:.
"I can understand [the frustration]" Carragher admitted, speaking on CBS Sports Golazo. "I think when the manager was in a run of nine defeats in 12 games, that's not acceptable, he had to stop that somewhere, and that's where the whole Mo Salah thing sort of blew up."
"He has stopped the defeats, but the way he's gone about that has probably almost gone on for too long. You can accept that for the first four or five games, it's not the Liverpool he wants, it's not the Liverpool we want to watch, but the most important thing is stopping the defeats, getting a few wins, draws here and there.
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"But this has sort of carried on now for a couple of months, it feels like, and it's almost gone on too long, and it has to change in the second half of the season, there [needs to be] a bit more energy and excitement about watching Liverpool."
Most would find little to dispute in that evaluation. Carragher isn't offering Slot an easy passage, yet he's recognising some of the circumstances, considering the goodwill that Slot has earned from his Premier League success.
Nevertheless, it's that Premier League crown which has become the most recent source of controversy amongst some of Slot's more outspoken detractors. Supporters have taken exception to the manager's mild observation that he remains one of only two bosses to bring titles to Anfield over the last 30 years.
Still, Carragher maintains that this discussion has been misinterpreted. He believes the hostile reaction has overstepped the mark in certain instances.
"I think some of the criticism the manager's had, and he gets from Liverpool supporters, I think it's just way out of line and way over the top," Carragher warned. "This is a guy who, six months ago, won the league title.
"And he's done an interview today (Wednesday) for another broadcaster, and they've used the headline of, "Liverpool have won the league twice in 30 years, and I was one of the guys who won it.
"And we all do this on social media, it gets everyone clicking, so all Liverpool fans are going mad at it.
"He hasn't said that, if you listen to the full interview... In context, right? Yeah, put it in context.
"So I get a bit frustrated on his part, because he's very calm and measured in press conferences. He was like that last year, even when Liverpool won it, he's like that right now, and I think he deserves a lot more respect from Liverpool supporters for what he's done in his first season at the club."
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a press conference
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has been under pressure at Anfield(Image: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
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Carragher makes a valid observation that Slot has maintained a consistent demeanour throughout both the peaks and troughs of his time in charge thus far. It's simply that certain remarks have proved slightly more irritating when results haven't been favouring Liverpool.
Nevertheless, that's no justification for some of the criticism directed towards him. This is particularly true when supporters are becoming upset over comments they haven't actually heard in their proper context.
In the end, it appears overwhelmingly probable that Slot will remain in position until the campaign concludes. Fans are perfectly entitled to feel frustrated, but Carragher's appeal for balanced judgement deserves consideration.