Midfielder says Liverpool are “sh**”; Slot refuses to single out individuals
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was left raging on the back of a disastrous performance against PSV Eindhoven that saw his side shatter unwanted records as old as 70 years.
Jones spoke to the media after senior players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah had declined interviews.
“I don’t have the answers,” said Jones. “Honestly, I don’t. It’s just unacceptable. I’m past being angry inside. I’m at the point now where I just don’t have the words.”
Arne Slot’s second season has become historic for all the wrong reasons. The defeat by PSV Eindhoven marked the third consecutive match in which Liverpool conceded three or more goals in over 70 years. Only six months ago, they were cruising to a Premier League title.
Jones said: “We’re going to try and get this team back to where it needs to be, but right now, we’re in the s*** and it needs to change.”
Slot said he still had the backing of the club’s leadership and was not distracted by speculation over his future.
“I am feeling safe, I am OK,” said Liverpool’s manager. “I have got a lot of support from above. If you are not doing well then it is normal that questions are asked. I’m not worried. My focus is on other things than on my own position.”
The upcoming league games against West Ham and then Sunderland have suddenly taken on added significance. If Liverpool were to lose both those games, for example, then even Slot would surely not be able to withstand the heat.
Individual errors proved costly for the Reds against PSV. Virgil van Dijk’s fifth-minute handball allowed Ivan Perisic to open the scoring from the penalty spot. Milos Kerkez allowed Guus Til to get in front of him to put away the visitors’ second.
Ibrahima Konate miscued a clearance and then got turned inside out in the penalty area, alongside Van Dijk, by Ricardo Pepi; and then the unmarked Couhaib Driouech was on hand to turn in the rebound for the third. Driouech was also left alone in acres of space right on the penalty arc to lash in the fourth in stoppage time. Slot refused to single anyone out.
“I think it is always about the team,” said Slot. “We can all do better. I don’t think this is the time to emphasise individual errors.”
