Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has stepped in to defend under-fire manager Arne Slot, branding the mounting speculation over the Dutchman's future at Anfield as premature.
Pressure Mounts After Forest Defeat
The pressure on Slot intensified dramatically following his side's dismal 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. This disappointing result extended a worrying run of form for the Reds, who have now suffered six defeats in their last seven Premier League matches.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Carragher acknowledged the unique challenge Slot faces, stating that the current boss does not receive the same level of unwavering support that was afforded to his iconic predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
Carragher's Defence of the Liverpool Boss
"To win a league title in your first season is pretty special," Carragher said, referencing Slot's achievement. "But I have the feeling he doesn't have the unconditional love and support like Jurgen Klopp always had."
Carragher drew a direct comparison to a difficult period under the German manager, pointing out that Klopp once lost six consecutive league games at Anfield. Despite this, Carragher noted that Klopp's position was never questioned in the same way Slot's has been over the weekend.
He attributed this to the immense pressure that comes with managing a global giant like Liverpool, but was unequivocal in his conclusion: "For me there should be no talk or thought of this manager being out of a job this season."
Salah Criticised for Lack of Leadership
Beyond defending the manager, Carragher turned his attention to the players, singling out star forward Mohamed Salah for particular criticism. He expressed disappointment that Salah has not joined captain Virgil van Dijk in publicly addressing the team's poor run of results.
Carragher referenced a previous instance where Salah was vocal about his contract situation, contrasting it with his current silence. "I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets Man of the Match, or he needs a new contract," Carragher stated.
He concluded with a direct challenge to the Egyptian, saying, "I'd like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool." This criticism comes after fellow pundit Wayne Rooney suggested that dropping Salah might be necessary to revitalise the team's fortunes.
