Slot responds to Steven Gerrard's brutal Liverpool advice: 'I can only agree'

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has responded to Reds icon Steven Gerrard's advice over a change the Dutchman must make when speaking about the club to the media

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has agreed with Steven Gerrard after the legendary Reds captain said that he should refrain from discussing the difficulties of facing a "low block" so frequently.

Gerrard, covering Liverpool's win over Marseille, expressed his belief that the Dutchman was too preoccupied with highlighting opponents' defensive tactics. Gerrard suggested it was not a new problem for the Merseyside club to overcome.

Slot, who led Liverpool to Premier League glory, has been increasingly frustrated in recent months after facing one of his most challenging seasons as a manager. The champions have struggled in matches against lower-ranked teams.

Liverpool have bounced back to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games with an impressive 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League. This marked a turning point for the Reds, who had previously struggled to penetrate the defences of teams like Leeds United, Sunderland, and Burnley this season.

In response to Gerrard's comments, Slot stated: "I haven't heard him saying it exactly. But Steven Gerrard has always been very positive - and still is - about Liverpool Football Club. He cares so much about it.

"I can only agree with him, that I speak a lot about low blocks - because we face a lot of low blocks! And if people ask me after the game my opinion about the games I have to describe something.

"He also said he faced them when he played. He was also one of the players who could unlock a low block because of the quality he had.

"A lot is being said about it and maybe I should try to find other words or just simply not talk about it anymore. People know now. And maybe we don't face it anymore because Bournemouth has always been a very intense team to play against and they will be like that [on Saturday]."

Following Wednesday's victory over Roberto De Zerbi's squad, Gerrard had some stern advice for Slot. "He needs to stop talking about low blocks," he said.

"Low blocks have been happening against Liverpool ever since I played, and many years before me. That's just the way it is. Teams are going to do that, they're going to try everything they can to try to stop Liverpool.

"The key is you have to find the solutions. With the players, you will then turn those 'low-block games' into wins rather than draws. But it's not going to change. It's what this team is going to face.

"They're probably going to face a low block at times against Bournemouth at the weekend, but they've got to be ruthless – and the big players have got to step forward and score the goals to win the games, because they are difficult to win."