Steven Gerrard pulled no punches after Liverpool’s shocking 2-1 defeat to Wolves, with the former captain particularly critical of Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk.
Gerrard was part of the TNT Sports panel for their coverage of Liverpool’s first of two trips to Molineux in four days and was well-placed to offer criticism.
After watching the Reds’ toothless display – only briefly rallied after conceding Rodrigo Gomes’ opener late in the second half – the 45-year-old described the first half as a “complete waste.”
He singled out Van Dijk for his lack of strength in competing with Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare in the buildup to Andre’s winner and urged Arne Slot to start Rio Ngumoha as he made more of an impact off the bench than Gakpo managed in 65 minutes.
"He has to start Rio Ngumoha now!"
Steven Gerrard calls for Arne Slot to give the youngster a chance ?
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“For 65 minutes Liverpool were desperate tonight, really poor,” Gerrard explained.
“They didn’t create enough, they didn’t play the right speed or the right tempo, they didn’t have enough quality.
“He has to start Ngumoha now, he has to start him, because he’s coming on and he’s doing more in a short cameo than Gakpo’s doing in 65, 70 minutes.
“He deserves a start now, he’s got to start the kid on Friday night.”
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's Joe Gomez and Wolverhampton Wanderers' João Gomes (R) arguing during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Friday night brings another clash with Wolves, this time in the FA Cup, and Gerrard believes Liverpool will “want to bounce back” – and especially those in defence.
“The three targets are going to be securing top four again, for Champions League football next season, and trying to go all the way in the other two competitions,” he said.
“The first half was a complete waste. They didn’t do anything, no urgency, no ball speed change when you got into the final third of the pitch, there wasn’t much quality or penetration.
“The other thing is they’ve got to stop conceding really poor goals.
“[Gomes’ goal] was a basic ball up to a target man, so a focal point. You’ve got a two-vs-one there, that’s got to be dealt with and you’ve got a chance to make a last-ditch tackle which they don’t make.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker react to conceding their side's second goal during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“Then second goal’s a poor clearance from the goalkeeper and there’s just no reaction.
“Liverpool have got three players around that could have reacted a lot quicker to maybe stop it before it becomes a shot on your goal.
“Those shots from the edge of the box, anything can happen, you can get deflections. But they’re two really poor goals from a Liverpool point of view.
“So if they want to progress in the FA Cup, they have to defend a lot better as well.
“You can’t just blame, ‘oh, we didn’t create enough in the final third’, you’ve got to stop conceding goals the other way as well.”
Why Steven Gerrard blamed Virgil van Dijk for Wolves goal
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 3, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Liverpool FC at Molineux Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In his own post-match interview Van Dijk distanced himself from blaming a push from Arokodare for his inability to deal with the threat ahead of Gomes’ opener, though he was visibly frustrated on the pitch at the time.
And Gerrard expressed his disappointment at the centre-back, saying: “Personally I don’t think it’s a foul. I think he’s got to be a lot stronger in that situation.
“I also think that Konate could have bailed him out of trouble, I think he’s gone with the wrong leg trying to put a tackle in with his left leg in that situation.
“He’s got to use his long levers and try to wrap his right foot and his right leg right around the ball and take ball and man completely out of the game.
"I don't think it was a foul. He has to be stronger" ?
Steven Gerrard questions the defending from Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk for Wolves’ opener.
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“But you’re clutching a straws asking for a foul there.
“You’re up against a big strong sub who’s come off the bench, he’s the focal point, you know he’s going to be physical and try to dominate you from a physical point of view.
“You’ve got to be ready for that, you’ve got to stand up and be stronger. So I think he’ll be slightly disappointed in himself when he watches back.”