Liverpool are being criticised because Arne Slot’s champions elect have lost three of their last four games
Liverpool great Phil Thompson has hit back at the criticism of Arne Slot’s champions elect, claiming it shows “a lack of respect”. His comments come after former Liverpool striker Michael Owen claimed only winning the title would not be enough this season.
Owen spoke after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint Germain and surprisingly lost the Carabao Cup Final to Newcastle in successive games. Liverpool then produced a shambolic defensive display as they lost 3-2 at Fulham on Sunday to slam the brakes on their procession to the Premier League in their third defeat in four games.
Thompson feels it is wrong to say Liverpool are only 11 points clear because Arsenal and Manchester City have been so bad. The former Liverpool captain and assistant manager insists Slot’s side are not getting enough credit for everything they have achieved in the Premier League and their title success will only be their second in 35 years.
Thompson claims it is phenomenal to lose only two league games in 31 and the Reds are the Premier League’s top scorers with 72 goals.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher commits ‘cardinal sin of television’ as pundit’s true colours emergeREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher’s three-word Mo Salah message after teasing Liverpool announcement
“I think a lot of people do a disservice to this Liverpool team and say they’ve only done well because other teams have fallen away,” he told Mirror Sport. “They say they’re only top of the league because Man City and Arsenal have struggled this season. That’s wrong. If you’ve only got a few games to go and you’ve only been beaten the number of times they have, that’s a lack of respect for what Liverpool have done.
“We used to say in our day if you lost four games, you’d be out of the title race. So what they’ve done by this stage is phenomenal.”
Thompson feels Slot’s work is all the more laudable because he has used the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp last summer.
Thompson, who was No.2 to Gerard Houllier from 1998-2004, claims Slot has proved to be a great coach because he has made good players better. The likes of Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo are having their best seasons with Liverpool, Mohamed Salah is reborn, while Ryan Gravenberch has been arguably Slot’s biggest success after being converted into a No.6.
“It’s amazed me what Arne Slot has done,” he said. “Liverpool fans, everyone of us, at the start of the season said if we can finish in the top four, we’ll have had a good season. Hasn’t it changed?!
“Arne Slot is a good manager and a good coach and he’s about how much better can you make players? “Ryan Gravenberch, in particular, playing the way he has at No 6, Dominik Szoboszlai, playing as a No 10, Cody Gakpo, so consistent on the left, Luis Diaz, centre-forward. He’s made good players even better and that’s the essence of a good coach.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
