Pundit says Slot cannot expect to stay in a job if his team don’t finish in the top five
The squad newly assembled by Liverpool last summer for over £400m is not suited to playing in the Premier League, according to pundit Jamie Carragher.
Arne Slot’s team have struggled in the league this season. They are currently sixth in the league and have failed to win any of their last five games.
On the other hand, they have done fairly well in Europe. They are fourth in the Champions League table, having won five of their seven games played, and should achieve automatic qualification to the last 16 with a positive result against Qarabag on Wednesday.
“If I think of the three big things you come up against in the Premier League, it’s set-pieces and long throws, it’s counter-attacking football for and against, and if you are a top team like Liverpool it’s coming up against low blocks – Liverpool can’t cope with any of them,” said Carragher.
“We are seeing a team not suited to the Premier League. When we see them in Europe, are set-pieces and long throws as important? No. Is counter-attacking important? It is always important, but not as much in Europe, and no one plays a low block in Europe so it suits Liverpool.
“They can beat Real Madrid. They can go away to Inter Milan and win. They can go away and win at Marseille, get into the top eight and into the knockout round.
“I don’t think this team is equipped for Premier League.”
Liverpool’s domestic form has left them in a tough race to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season and Carragher warned that Slot cannot expect to stay in a job if he doesn’t deliver at least that, regardless of what he achieved last term.
“I think some of the criticism and the disrespect he’s had from supporters is far too much, considering they won the league title last season, but if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on,” Carragher said.
“Liverpool as a club and support can accept they are not going to win the league or challenge this year. We accept it. Not good enough, but we accept it.
“Once you start seeing what Manchester United have done in the last couple of weeks, once you start seeing Chelsea, and you see where Liverpool could finish outside the Champions League positions, I really fear for them.
“Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season that’s when you have a completely different proposition when you are talking about the manager’s job.
“Not making the Champions League as champions, spending £450m and having the highest wage bill in the Premier League – which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish in the league – I think you have serious questions to ask.”
