Arne Slot was actually in agreement with Steven Gerrard's negative feedback in midweek and admitted he may need to change his post-match responses and be a little less honest
16:07, 23 Jan 2026
Steven Gerrard.
Steven Gerrard said in midweek that Arne Slot needs to talk less about low blocks(Image: )
Arne Slot has responded to Steven Gerrard’s recent criticism of his post-match comments and admitted he is actually in agreement with the former Liverpool skipper.
Slot has repeatedly referenced the Reds’ struggles this season to break down sides that sit deep in a low block and flood the middle of the pitch. Indeed, the Dutchman even spoke about those issues in the aftermath of Liverpool’s convincing 3-0 win over Marseille on Wednesday night.
Gerrard picked up on that reference and claimed that it should not be used as an excuse for Liverpool, as the Reds have been forced to contend with defensive approaches for decades. “That’s just the way it is,” he expressed during TNT Sports’ coverage.
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Speaking ahead of the trip to Bournemouth this weekend, Slot was asked about those comments and said he was not offended.
“I think Steven Gerrard has always been very positive, and still is very positive, about Liverpool Football Club,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.
“He cares so much about it. And I think I can only agree with him that I speak a lot of low blocks, because we face a lot of low blocks.
“If people ask me after the game what my opinion about the game is, then I have to describe a low block. But I can also say time-wasting football or different words for it as well.”
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 17: Former player Steven Gerrard pictured ahead of the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City Ground on January 17, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images)
Gerrard was critical of Slot's post-match comments(Image: Getty Images)
Slot also joked he would like to call upon the services of Gerrard to unlock tight-packed defenses, on the day it was announced the former midfielder will return to Anfield in March for the club’s latest legends’ fixture.
“Steven also said he faced them when he played – I think he was also one of the players who could unlock the low block, because of the quality that he had.
“I spoke one day before the game that if I want to have a top goalscorer that is still playing, I have to look at Mo Salah, because Ian Rush is not available anymore.
Arne Slot
Slot joked he would like to welcome Gerrard back(Image: 2026 Anadolu)
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“Maybe I can try to convince Steven to come back to help us out in those games, because a 30-yard strike could definitely unlock a low block as well.
“But I agree with him. A lot is being said about it and maybe I should try to find other words or just simply not talk about it anymore, because it makes no sense, people know now.
“We go on – and maybe we don’t face it anymore, that’s also a possibility, because I think Bournemouth has always been a very intense team to play against.”