Liverpool boss Arne Slot has responded to Jamie Carragher’s suggestions that his side were ‘a team of individuals’ during their disappointing 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Sunday.
Despite taking the lead through a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, Liverpool were pegged back in the 90th minute by a struggling Tottenham side that sit a point above the relegation zone and ended a six-game losing run.
Liverpool were booed off as the draw played into a wider disappointing run for Liverpool who have won just one of their last four. The draw came as a dent to their hopes of securing a Champions League spot this season.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, former Liverpool defender and Sky Sports pundit Carragher said: “There’s lots of things wrong with this Liverpool team. Nothing’s working or functioning going forward or defending. But the biggest thing that stands out for me that Liverpool have lost is the press.
“I’ve been asking myself all season: is this down to the manager or is it the profile of the player?
“I think Liverpool’s hierarchy will be sat there thinking ‘We won the league last season, and when we recruited, we think we recruited better players than we had before’. You could argue that, talent-wise, but Liverpool are not a team – they are a team of individuals.”
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Asked about Carragher’s comments, Slot hit back, saying if his players wanted to give up, they would have already done so.
“I agree with a lot of things Jamie has said throughout this season this particular one I disagree with,” Slot told the media.
“I don’t see this, as I said after we conceded the 1-1. After so many disappointments we have had this season. It wouldn’t have been completely strange or weird if the players had given up, but they didn’t.
“But I can show you and you can find yourselves, that they had a counterattack where seven or eight of our players were back in the 18-yard box, which led to their corner, where we blocked that shot and that corner led to a transition all the way to the other side, where Hugo Ekitike had his big chance.
“A team that has given up, a team of individuals a team that doesn’t work together, doesn’t show that resilience after our 120th setback this season.
“That’s exaggerated but we’ve had many. I don’t know why he said it or what he meant with it or what examples he used to say this.
“Again, he’s said things this season that I agree with. I see similar things, I cannot always say them but I see similar things but this one i disagree with him.”
Slot also added that despite facing boos after the Tottenham draw, he doesn’t feel the frustration from the fans.
“It’s never nice that they are frustrated, as fans aren’t frustrated after you win. You are frustrated and disappointed when you don’t win.
“When I came here, I was told this club was different and the fans will support the manager for a long time. If it’s true [the fans are restless], I don’t feel it at all. I must have done a lot of things wrong then, that’s never a nice feeling to have!”
Robertson refuses to be drawn on Liverpool future
Andy Robertson’s contract is set to expire this summer
Andy Robertson refused to be drawn on questions regarding his Anfield future ahead of his club’s crunch Champions League last 16 second leg clash against Galatasaray.
The Scotland international’s move to Tottenham Hotspur broke down in January and his contract is set to expire this summer.
Asked about his future, Robertson explained full focus remains on ensuring Liverpool get past Galatasaray after a draw in the first leg last week.
“I don’t think today is the day to discuss that,” Robertson responded.
“Twenty four hours before a massive Champions League game, I don’t think anyone should be talking about their future.
“We’ve got such a massive game ahead of us. My full focus, being a part of this team, is to try and get through tomorrow.
“We gave ourselves an uphill battle and I think full focus has to be on. There will be time to talk about my future, but today is not that day.”
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