Steven Gerrard Condemns Arne Slot's Controversial Liverpool Champions League Theory
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has launched a scathing attack on current Reds manager Arne Slot following controversial comments suggesting the club's Champions League elimination last season actually contributed to their Premier League triumph.
'A Body Blow for the Fans' - Gerrard's Emotional Response
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard expressed his dismay at Slot's comments, made during Tuesday's press conference ahead of Liverpool's European league phase finale against Qarabag. The former captain described the manager's perspective as "a body blow for the fans" and questioned the logic behind the assertion.
"I can understand the fans being frustrated on the back of that interview for the simple reason is they were 15 points clear," Gerrard stated. "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."
Slot's Unpopular Opinion Sparks Backlash
The controversy stems from Slot's pre-match comments where he suggested Liverpool's penalty shootout defeat to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in last season's Champions League round of 16 may have actually benefited their domestic campaign.
"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," Slot explained. "Maybe that helped us. Every manager is aware that the bigger squad you have, the better equipped you are for so many games."
Liverpool supporters immediately questioned this rationale, pointing out that the team held a commanding 15-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when their European campaign ended. Many felt the comments undermined the emotional investment fans make in Champions League matches.
Growing Pressure on Slot's Position
Gerrard acknowledged that Slot faces increasing external pressure following Saturday's stoppage-time defeat to Bournemouth, which ended Liverpool's 13-match unbeaten run and dropped them to sixth in the Premier League standings. However, the former midfielder believes the manager still retains support from Liverpool's hierarchy.
"Knowing Richard Hughes, and Michael Edwards a little bit more, they'll want to rally around the manager," Gerrard observed. "I think the pressure is more externally than internally."
Despite the growing fan dissatisfaction, Slot appears poised to deliver a top-eight finish in Liverpool's European league phase campaign, which would see the club bypass the potentially hazardous knockout play-offs. This achievement may provide some breathing space for the under-fire manager as he prepares his team for Wednesday's crucial encounter with Qarabag.
The Emotional Toll of European Exits
Gerrard emphasised the deep emotional connection supporters have with Champions League football, making Slot's comments particularly difficult for fans to accept.
"The frustration and the emotion of going out of the UCL, for a player or a fan, it hurts. It kills you," Gerrard explained. "To sort of say that went and helped you when you are already 15 points clear, you can understand the frustrations."
The Liverpool legend's intervention highlights the delicate balance managers must strike between tactical analysis and emotional intelligence when discussing past results, particularly those involving high-stakes European competitions that hold special significance for both players and supporters.
