Steven Gerrard says it is a ‘body blow’ for Liverpool fans to hear Arne Slot suggest that last season’s Premier League triumph was aided by the club’s early exit from the Champions League.
After coming under scrutiny for Liverpool’s weak defence of their title, Slot claimed his side may have benefitted domestically last season after being knocked out of Europe’s elite competition by Paris Saint-Germain.
‘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 [PSG] in the last 16,’ the Dutchman said on Tuesday.
‘They beat us and we had every time a [full] week to prepare for our next game. Maybe that helped us. Every manager is aware that the bigger squad you have, the better equipped you are for so many games.’
Slot’s comments did not go down well with the Anfield faithful, however, with many pointing out that Liverpool were 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League by the time the second leg of their match against PSG arrived.
And club legend Gerrard has planted his flag firmly on the side of those supporters, saying on TNT Sports on Wednesday: ‘I can understand the fans being frustrated on the back of that interview.
Steven Gerrard says Arne Slot’s Champions League comments are a ‘blow’ to Liverpool fans
Slot claimed his side may have benefited last season after they were knocked out of Europe
‘The simple reason is, they were 15 points clear. In my opinion they had the league wrapped up by that point.
‘To say that helped them is a body blow for the fans really, because the fans have been on the journey. They’ve paid good money to follow the team in the Champions League games.
‘The frustration when you go out of the Champions League as a player or a fan, that hurts… so, to say that helped you when you were already 15 points clear, you can understand their frustrations.’
Slot’s side host Qarabag at Anfield on Wednesday evening as they look to book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League for the second successive campaign.
The Reds have found far more joy in their European exploits this campaign, winning five out of their seven matches before the visit of the Azerbaijan champions, including big victories over Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
However, they sit in sixth place in the Premier League, and are only separated from Sunderland in 11th by just three points.
Slot has had to contend with a raft of absences to key pleasers this season, including long-term blows to Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni. Liverpool were without four defenders in total for Wednesday’s match against Qarabag.
With that context, the Reds boss hit back at his detractors before the game, saying: ‘If you are not aware of the information (around how fit players are) it is not strange to criticise decisions.
‘But if people knew the struggles we and I are facing, they would be more understanding of the decisions I make.’
