Liverpool manager Arne Slot deserves ‘more respect’ from his own side’s fans, according to Jamie Carragher.
Slot has been criticised by Reds supporters in recent times amid their disappointing season, just a matter of months after the Dutchman led his side to the Premier League title in his first campaign in charge.
Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League standings, 14 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, and could be forced to play a play-off round in the Champions League after finishing top of the league phase last season.
That has led to supporters questioning Slot’s position, which has increased with former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso becoming available following his exit from Real Madrid last week.
Carragher gave his views on the situation, and stuck up for Slot. He pointed to an interview that the Liverpool boss gave where he mentioned out he was only the second manager to win the league with Liverpool in the last 30 years – after Jurgen Klopp – and insisted fans need to show some more understanding.
Speaking on CBS Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: ‘I think that some of the criticism the manager has had, and he gets from some Liverpool supporters, is way out of line and way over the top.
Jamie Carragher (pictured) has claimed Arne Slot ‘deserves more respect’ from Liverpool fans
Slot has come under criticism following his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley in the Premier League
‘This is a guy who six months ago won the league title. He did an interview today and they used the headline of Liverpool winning the league twice in 30 years and I was one of the guys who won it. He hasn’t said that. Put it in context.
‘I get a bit frustrated on his part. He is very calm and measured. He was like that last year and is like it right now. I think he deserves a lot more respect from Liverpool supporters for what he’s done in his first season.
‘It’s not great at the moment, we know that, but he should be given the opportunity and time in the second half of the season to get Liverpool back on track.’
Liverpool had an awful run earlier on in the season that saw the team lose nine games in 12 in a run that threatened to trigger the end of Slot’s time in charge.
He turned things around, with the side since 12 games undefeated prior to their Champions League clash with Marseille, but frustrating draws against the likes of Fulham and Burnley have left supporters wanting more.
Carragher did, meanwhile, admit he could understand the frustration, admitting that he feels as though Slot needs to improve things.
‘When the manager was on a run of 9nine defeats in 12, that’s not acceptable,’ Carragher continued. ‘He had to stop that.
‘He has, but the way he has gone on about that has gone on too long. You can accept that for four or five games – but it’s not the Liverpool he wants or the Liverpool we want to watch. This has sort of carried on now for a couple of months it feels like – it has to change second half of the season.’
