Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard issued a demand to Arne Slot folllowing their win on Wednesday
Arne Slot has responded to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard following his comments after the win over Marseille.
Arne Slot has responded to Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard following his comments after the win over Marseille.(Image: Sky Sports)
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Arne Slot has agreed with Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard that he should stop talking about the "low block".
The former Reds captain admitted that the Liverpool head coach spoke about the defensive structures of teams too much and felt that the Dutchman had to find solutions to pick the lock. The Premier League-winning tactician has expressed increasing frustration in recent months, having endured one of his toughest seasons in management, one of the factors behind it being the struggles against the lesser teams.
Liverpool moved to 13 matches unbeaten with their impressive away win in southern France in the Champions League. The encounter marked a change for the Reds after struggling to break down the likes of Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley this season.
Responding to Gerrard, Slot said: “I haven't heard him saying it exactly. But Steven Gerrard has always been very positive - and still is - about Liverpool Football Club. He cares so much about it.
"I can only agree with him, that I speak a lot about low blocks - because we face a lot of low blocks! And if people ask me after the game my opinion about the games I have to describe something.
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"He also said he faced them when he played. He was also one of the players who could unlock a low block because of the quality he had.
"A lot is being said about it and maybe I should try to find other words or just simply not talk about it anymore. People know now. And maybe we don't face it anymore because Bournemouth has always been a very intense team to play against and they will be like that [on Saturday]."
Speaking after Wednesday's win over Roberto De Zerbi's side, Gerrard said: "He needs to stop talking about low blocks.
“Low blocks have been happening against Liverpool ever since I played, and many years before me. That’s just the way it is.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard(Image: Getty Images)
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“Teams are going to do that, they’re going to try everything they can to try to stop Liverpool.
“The key is you have to find the solutions. With the players, you will then turn those ‘low-block games’ into wins rather than draws.
“But it’s not going to change. It’s what this team is going to face.
“They’re probably going to face a low block at times against Bournemouth at the weekend, but they’ve got to be ruthless – and the big players have got to step forward and score the goals to win the games, because they are difficult to win.”
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