Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard delivered a damning assessment of the Reds’ makeshift back four after their 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven
Steven Gerrard has slammed the defensive line-up that concluded Liverpool’s 4-1 thrashing by PSV as “not a Liverpool back four”.
The pundit has demanded some serious self-reflection from the squad as mounting pressure continues to build. Speaking on TNT Sport, Gerrard said: “The substitution of [Ibrahima] Konate was huge, that sends a story.
“You look at the back four that you finish with: Curtis Jones, [Ryan] Gravenberch, [Virgil] van Dijk and [Milos] Kerkez. That’s not a Liverpool back four, never will be.”
Arne Slot withdrew Konate in favour of Federico Chiesa shortly after PSV netted their third strike. Yet the Reds failed to mount a comeback, instead shipping a fourth goal in the second minute of stoppage time.
Konate has now been dragged off by Slot in back-to-back fixtures after being replaced ten minutes into the second period against Nottingham Forest. Hugo Ekitike replaced him on that occasion, with Liverpool again managing only to leak another goal whilst he was off the pitch.
The Merseysiders also suffered a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City prior to the international interval. They have now shipped three or more goals in three straight matches across all competitions – a dire run not experienced since September 1992, reports the Liverpool Echo.
During that spell, they were beaten 4-2 away at Aston Villa, before sharing eight goals in a 4-4 stalemate with Chesterfield in the League Cup. Wimbledon then defeated the Reds at Anfield when league football resumed.
The ex-Reds skipper didn’t mince his words, stating: “No, it’s not [acceptable], they’re conceding too many goals, they’re wide open, they’re vulnerable and unstable. Anfield tells a story; the seats are empty.
“PSV were excellent, and we were comfortable here tonight, deserving the victory. Liverpool’s problems become deeper, pressure intensifies even more, and there needs to be soul-searching for sure.”
Arne Slot, speaking to TNT Sport, expressed his disappointment: “The last weeks, it’s the same question every time. The emotion is all very negative and disappointing.
“I have to be, I want to be positive about the reaction of the players after we went 1-0 down because, until half-time, we played a very good game. After another disappointment, we came back into the game.
“I think we had enough chances, maybe, to go 2-1 up, and at half-time, I don’t think anyone would have expected us to lose this game 4-1.”
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