Gerrard gives Liverpool theory on EPL struggles amid Slot sack pressure

Liverpool lost to Brighton in the Premier League as their domestic football struggles continue in Arne Slot's second season and former captain Steven Gerrard has had his say

Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard believes Arne Slot currently lacks the depth to compete in both the Champions League and the Premier League following the Reds' defeat to Brighton. The Reds currently sit in fifth in the division, in a battle for qualification for the Champions League, having lost ten matches in a season for the first time in a decade.

Brighton star Danny Welbeck scored a goal either side of Milos Kerkez's strike, with the Liverpool defender nipping in to capitalise on Lewis Dunk's error. And with Hugo Ekitike leaving the pitch early in the game due to injury, the Reds could not find a way to pick up a point.

Despite lavish spending ahead of the season, which saw the club splash out more than £400million on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Ekitike, Gerrard reckons Slot does not have the options from his bench to rotate effectively. The Dutchman is without Mohamed Salah and Isak currently, and is finding himself forced into changes.

"We have seen it quite a few times this season now where they put a lot of effort, perform really well on the Champions League stage," Gerrard offered on TNT Sports.

"And all the emotion and all the energy and the intensity you have to put in those games to win or get a result, it's having a big effect on them at the weekend.

"They haven't got the options in the squad or on the bench to really make numerous changes to bring that energy or quality into the team to perform at the same level they do in midweek.

"He had to play a lot of the same players today, he made a couple of changes that were forced on him. But the manager wants to keep the change, rather than make changes for energy and it backfired today."

For his part, Slot accepts that he is under pressure, despite guiding Liverpool to a league title last season. "There's always pressure at Liverpool, on me and the players. It's completely normal," he said following the loss to Brighton.

"We've qualified for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the Champions League, and in the league we need to make sure we qualify too.

"As much as I disliked us losing today, Brighton away has always been a difficult one and will keep being if they keep bringing in the quality of players they do.

"There are other games, like last week being 1-0 up in the last minute against Tottenham and not winning, but away at Brighton a club like Liverpool should be able to get a result."