Image Credits: Imago Images
Arne Slot’s position came under increased scrutiny following Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, which saw the Reds drop to sixth place, outside the Champions League qualification spots.
With former Liverpool favourite Xabi Alonso back on the managerial market after being sacked by Real Madrid earlier this month, Slot’s critics have called for a change in the dugout, despite the Dutchman retaining full backing from the Anfield hierarchy.
Ahead of Liverpool’s final Champions League group-stage match at home to Qarabag on Wednesday, Slot suggested that an early European exit may have helped the team win the Premier League last season. “This is not going to be a popular opinion but maybe the reason we won the league last season is that we had to play Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, because they beat us and we had every time a [full] week to prepare for our next game,” said Slot.
“Maybe that helped us. Every manager is aware that the bigger squad you have, the better equipped you are for so many games.” Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has since publicly criticised Slot’s comments.
Gerrard told TNT Sports: “I can understand the fans being frustrated on the back of that interview for the simple reason is they were 15 points clear. In my opinion they had the league wrapped up by that point.
“To sort of say that helped them is a body blow for the fans really because the fans have been on the journey, they pay good money to follow the team in the UCL games.
“The frustration and the emotion of going out of the UCL, for a player or a fan, it hurts. It kills you. To sort of say that went and helped you when you are already 15 points clear, you can understand the frustrations.”
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