Despite being two of the most important figures in Liverpool’s modern history, Arne Slot and Steven Gerrard have only just met.
The pair of Reds greats shook hands for the first time after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa, and Slot had to explain why it was overdue.
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Gerrard and Slot met on pitch for the first time, and the Reds boss explained whyCredit: TNT
“I did invite him already, not directly but indirectly, for him to come to the training ground but…” Slot said.
Gerrard rather awkwardly responded to his apparent snub saying: “I’ll be there tomorrow!” .
Gerrard, Liverpool’s captain from 2003 to 2015, went on to start his coaching career in the club’s academy, helping rear current first team star Curtis Jones.
Yet it wasn’t until 2024 that Slot arrived and won the Premier League at the first time of asking with Jones in tow.
It’s perhaps a surprise Slot and Gerrard haven’t met, particularly given the latter’s far more close relationship with predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but the former Aston Villa manager made it clear he’s a fan of the Dutchman.
Slot ends Liverpool horror run
Liverpool’s home win ended a horror four-game losing run in the Premier League that’s hugely hampered the Reds title defence.
Slot has come under massive pressure having never experienced such a run before in his coaching career, but he explained the feeling isn’t too unusual.
“Maybe in general as a manager [I haven’t lost], but the good thing is as a player I had many setbacks,” he said to Gerrard and the rest of the TNT Sports panel.
“The margins are small in the Premier League, you see it every game, even today.
“What I liked most was everyone feeling the importance of the game. I’m talking about the players and the fans.
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Slot paid credit to the crowd for their part in the winCredit: AFP
“From start to finish players showed up. They felt this was the moment to show we’re still there.”
Speaking to talkSPORT, Slot added: “We’ve lost far too many games for a club like us and the quality we have.
“The few things that were different were their chance in the first five minutes didn’t lead to a goal, we didn’t concede a set piece and we were maybe a little bit lucky, the 2-0 goal was a deflection.
“Defensively we were solid but twice in the first half they were close to a goal.”
Next up for Liverpool: Real Madrid
Gerrard doesn’t think the current blip will have a lasting impact, and insisted that it can’t with Real Madrid next up in the Champions League.
“Look, the job he did taking over from Jurgen Klopp was impeccable and deserves a lot of praise for it,” the former Rangers manager said.
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Gerrard was on the scene to congratulate Mohamed Salah on his 250th Liverpool goalCredit: Getty
“That’s why it’s been so frustrating these last few weeks, with people calling for his dismissal and changes; that’s absolute nonsense.
“I think he’s handled the last few weeks really well, he’s been calm under immense pressure, so have his players, but that’s the demands of being the manager of Liverpool, especially on the back of becoming champions, you don’t rest on that, it’s about parking that up and going for the next prizes.
“He’s handled it well, he deserves big credit for that, but they come thick and fast now and the pressure will build again as he’s expected to beat Real Madrid.”
Liverpool’s current captain Virgil van Dijk was in agreement, adding: “Even in good times you have to keep going and not take your foot off the gas.
“I’ve realised in the last few weeks that there’s a lot of noise you’re not in control of and we have to deal with it as a team.
“Some of the takes are absolutely ridiculous, but you have to deal with it, even the outside noise can reach certain players in the group and you have to stick together.”