Arne Slot sent Liverpool warning after two transfer calls and ‘concerning’ comments

Paul Merson has criticised Arne Slot for admitting that Liverpool are struggling to handle two specific aspects of the game, after the Reds’ 3-2 defeat to Brentford

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has taken Arne Slot to task for admitting that his Liverpool side struggle with two specific aspects of the game, following their 3-2 defeat at Brentford. In a post-match interview, Slot confessed that the Reds are still grappling with how to counter teams that employ long balls and low blocks.

The Dutch manager candidly discussed the challenges posed by opponents who sit deep and go direct ahead of the match at the Gtech Community Stadium, which culminated in a fourth consecutive Premier League loss for the Reds. And true to form, Slot’s squad were undone by these very tactics against the Bees.

Dango Ouattara’s opening goal was the result of a long throw from Michael Kayode, while Brentford launched 64 long passes over the course of the match, marking their highest tally of the season to date. “Quite a few things,” was Slot’s response in his post-match press conference when asked about the reasons behind Liverpool’s recent slump.

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“It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us; it is a very good strategy to play. We have not found an answer yet. Going 1-0 down does not help after five minutes. We are still, even today, when we don’t play well, able to score two goals. But you cannot compete, which we don’t do at the moment, because we concede too many goals. That is not only the defence you do it with 11 players together.”

Following Slot’s admission that Liverpool struggle against deep and direct tactics from rivals, Merson has suggested that wasn’t the wisest move. He went on to say that signing Florian Wirtz and losing Trent Alexander-Arnold might turn out to be errors.

“I didn’t like Arne Slot’s comments about not being able to handle long balls and then the low block,” former Aston Villa and England star Merson told Sky Sports.

“They just bought Florian Wirtz in for over £100million to be able to get past 10 players behind the ball. He’s a great player. He’s got a good football brain, and he has the guile to unlock a defence, that’s why they bought him.

“They haven’t got Trent Alexander-Arnold anymore and he was a big part of Liverpool breaking teams down. A lot is now on Wirtz but he’s struggling.

“He won’t have faced teams like Brentford in Germany. The result on Saturday doesn’t happen much in places like Germany, Spain and Italy, but in the Premier League it’s not uncommon for a lesser team to go and score three goals against a favourite for the title and the defending champions.

“It doesn’t happen anywhere else in world and that’s why it can be a struggle for new players. You don’t get any free games in the Premier League.

“Liverpool also have the best centre-half in the world in Virgil van Dijk. That’s why Slot’s long-ball comments are a big concern. People are now looking to hurt Liverpool in that way. Teams are trying to get the ball forward and Brentford had so much success.

“Liverpool will have to find answers and quickly. They know what is coming their way for the next couple of weeks.”

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