Liverpool is a club built on passion, history, and high standards. But right now, that same passion is turning into pressure, and it is landing heavily on the shoulders of manager Arne Slot.
Despite Liverpool being on a long unbeaten run, the mood around Anfield has become tense and divided. Fans are questioning decisions, results, and even the manager’s ability, just months after celebrating a Premier League title.
Jamie Carragher, a Liverpool legend and former defender, has finally spoken out. And this time, he is not holding back.
After Liverpool were booed off the pitch following a 1-1 draw against Burnley last weekend, the criticism of Arne Slot reached a new level. Many fans voiced frustration online and inside the stadium, unhappy with the team’s recent league form.
Liverpool are currently fourth in the Premier League table after 22 matches. They are 14 points behind leaders Arsenal. Even though they have not lost in 13 games across all competitions since late November, league draws have become a problem. The Reds have drawn four league matches in a row.
This has allowed teams like Manchester United and Chelsea to close the gap. For a club used to fighting for the title, being chased instead of chasing has increased anxiety among supporters.
Still, Carragher believes the reaction from parts of the fanbase has gone too far.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher made his feelings very clear. He admitted that recent criticism has started to really frustrate him.
“I know we feel a lot better today after the really good result and performance in Marseille. I want to tell you where I stand on the manager,” Carragher said.
Liverpool had just beaten Marseille 3-0 in the Champions League, a result that brought some relief and confidence back to the club. But Carragher felt that even this win would not be enough to change the mood online.
“I am starting to get a little bit wound up, looking at social media. I know social media is something you should always [use as] a barometer of what every football fan thinks but I feel there is a real disrespect towards the manager on social media from Liverpool supporters, considering what he’s done [for the club],” he explained.
Carragher accepted that the season has not gone perfectly. Liverpool struggled early, and the situation was made worse by a damaging public row between Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah. That incident raised serious questions about dressing room harmony.
However, Carragher believes context matters.
“I know it’s not been a great season but I’m almost a little bit taken aback by some of it on there,” he said, referring again to online criticism.
For him, the most shocking part is how quickly respect seems to have disappeared.
“Fans don’t always have to agree so you think they will be sensible, but I don’t like it. I think six months after winning a league title, I think it’s a little bit disrespectful – almost like [the fans think] he hasn’t got a clue what he is doing.”
Slot, meanwhile, is fully aware of the noise around him. Ahead of the Marseille game, he was asked directly about the mood and the growing doubts.
His response, given to TNT Sports, was calm but revealing.
“Do people not expect that to be possible for me? To be successful? It’s new to me, but if you’re one-and-a-half years in the job and have already won the Premier League, when the club has won it twice in 30 years, I’m surprised to hear that,” Slot said.
The Liverpool manager did not deny the criticism. Instead, he accepted it as part of the job.
“But if that is the situation, then I have to accept that,” he added.
Slot explained that he has not abandoned his principles. In fact, he believes he has stayed consistent with what worked before.
“I’ve tried the same things as last season this time around. Every time we’ve been a goal down, I’ve made offensive substitutions, and wherever I can, I am playing a team that is as offensive as possible.”
One of the biggest debates around Slot’s Liverpool is their style of play. The team often dominates possession, but fans want more goals and more urgency.
Slot admitted that controlling the ball can sometimes work against expectations.
“You cannot play attacking football with the amount of ball possession that we have. Sometimes, it’s a disadvantage that we have that much ball possession, because then people expect more from the ball that you have.”
He also pointed out the risk involved when Liverpool lose possession.
“But the moment you don’t have it, you have to press really high, because with a low block, you don’t have ball possession.”
For Slot, this season is part of a larger transition. He believes progress is coming, but not instantly.
“Everyone knows what we need to do in order to make the next step in this transition phase, but sometimes a bit of patience is needed.”
That word, patience, may be the hardest thing to ask for at a club like Liverpool. Success has raised expectations, and expectations have shortened tempers.
Yet Carragher’s message is simple. Criticism is fair. Disrespect is not.
Liverpool are still unbeaten in 13 matches. They are still competing in Europe. And their manager is the same man who delivered a league title in an era when Liverpool rarely won one.
The question now is not only whether Arne Slot can guide Liverpool forward, but whether the fans are willing to walk that road with him.
Stay Connected With Volta Fame!
Love keeping up with the latest news, updates, and fan conversations? Don’t miss out — join our growing community and be part of the action!
WhatsApp Channel
X
Facebook Page
