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Liverpool’s form this season isn’t just down to Arne Slot — Jamie Carragher thinks it’s as much to do with the squad and a couple of major fall-offs.
The former Liverpool player has not been shy about criticising the Reds this season.
Carragher warned Slot he might be sacked if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, and then after the City loss, he suggested Slot can’t get Liverpool back to their best.
From all that, you could assume he has quit on the Dutchman. His recent defence of the Liverpool manager suggests a change of heart.
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He’s now taking aim at two fellow Anfield legends.
Jamie Carragher defends Arne Slot and shifts attention to Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah
Liverpool have been wildly inconsistent, and Slot has not covered himself in glory by any means.
But Carragher — whose opinions are almost as inconsistent — now reckons no other manager would do better given how much Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah have fallen off.
He explains on The Overlap: “That’s what I keep thinking you know because I don’t think it’s all his fault. I think any manager now managing this squad with Salah not being the same player as last season. Van Dijk’s not quite the same player as last season as well.
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“The squad’s not that big. It’s not that well balanced. I’m not sure there would be a manager out there getting loads more out of it if I’m being totally honest.”
Carragher seems to be suggesting that it’s not the coach’s fault. It might not all be Slot’s fault, but he has to accept a portion of the blame.
FSG’s backing of Slot suggests they are on a similar line of thinking, but it’s hard to imagine that sentiment being widely shared in the fanbase.
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It’s true that Salah and Van Dijk haven’t been close to their best this season — the Egyptian especially.
But is that a temporary dip or the new reality at Liverpool?
The pair won’t be playing forever. In fact, Salah could be sold this summer. Them two not hitting their prime heights shouldn’t be an excuse for the team’s failure.
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Slot needs to be able to win without them, and after such a large spend in the summer, the responsibility should shift onto younger shoulders.
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