Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has called on new coach Arne Slot to cease publicly discussing the team's struggles against deep-lying defensive blocks. Gerrard believes the Dutch manager should instead focus on finding solutions, stating that such tactical challenges are a constant reality in football.

"He should stop talking about deep-lying defensive blocks", Gerrard stated on TNT Sports. "They existed when I played and for many years before that. It's a reality Liverpool must accept, as every opponent will try to stop them". Gerrard emphasized the need for a proactive approach: "The key is to find solutions. Slot has quality players. Only then can you turn draws against defensive teams into victories. Things won't change. This weekend against Bournemouth, they will again face a low block. Great players must step up, be ruthless, and score to decide matches".

Coach Slot and Liverpool players applaud fans after the victory over Marseille in Champions League matchday 7, 21/1. *Photo: AFP*

Slot's comments followed Liverpool's dominant 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League. The coach suggested that facing deep-lying defensive blocks is Liverpool's "Achilles' heel", contributing to a perceived lack of stability this season. "I know very well why we lack stability", the 47-year-old coach explained. "When a match is open, players have space to move the ball through lines and showcase tactics; they demonstrate their skill. However, facing a deep defensive block is a completely different scenario. You need specific qualities to break down such a defense. At that point, pre-match preparations become less crucial. You possess the ball extensively, push it into the final third, and hope something materializes".

This sentiment is not new for Slot, as the Merseyside club has frequently struggled against lower-ranked opponents this season. In the Premier League, Liverpool has endured four consecutive draws, most recently a 1-1 tie against Burnley. In that match, Liverpool dominated possession with 73% and took 32 shots, yet failed to secure a win. During his post-match analysis of the Marseille victory, Slot elaborated: "Tonight's match cannot be compared to games where both teams want to build from the back and press. This season, whenever we've been in such situations, we've played very well. While we achieved good results in most of those matches, we still lost to Man City and Chelsea. The reason for our instability, if you call a 14-match unbeaten run 'instability', is precisely our struggle against deep defensive blocks".

Despite his candid criticism regarding the team's tactical approach, Gerrard still praised Slot for maximizing Liverpool's individual and collective potential under immense pressure at the Velodrome.

Gerrard is considered one of the club's greatest captains, playing from 1998-2015. During his tenure, he won one Champions League, one UEFA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups, three League Cups, and one FA Community Shield.

Liverpool's victory over Marseille came courtesy of goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, alongside an own goal by goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli following an effort by Jeremie Frimpong. This result propelled Liverpool to 4th place in the Champions League standings, giving them control over securing a top 8 spot in the final matchday. Next midweek, they will host Azerbaijani champions Qarabag at Anfield. Although Qarabag has earned 10 points to secure a play-off spot, Liverpool is still considered the favorite in this encounter.