Souness refuses to answer key question about Slot’s Liverpool future
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ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe former Liverpool captain and manager was speaking on talkSPORT about the team’s recent performances.Slot’s side suffered a frustrating 1-0 loss in Istanbul during the first leg of their last-16 tie, meaning Liverpool must overturn the deficit at Anfield to keep their European hopes alive.While criticism has grown around the team’s inconsistent form, Souness suggested the challenges Liverpool are facing are not entirely unexpected.The Scot believes opponents have increasingly found ways to disrupt Liverpool’s style of play.Souness said: “Teams are not saying to Liverpool ‘we’re at Anfield today. Let’s give them a really nice game of football and let’s play the way they want us to play’.”The former midfielder also pointed to the physical nature of games against Liverpool.He explained: “If you play for Liverpool that is the price on the ticket.
Deal with it, embrace it.”Souness highlights Liverpool problemsDespite defending the idea that tough matches are part of playing for Liverpool, our former boss acknowledged that several areas of the team’s performance have dropped off this season.One issue raised by the Scot was the team’s intensity when out of possession.Souness said: “They’re not as aggressive when they don’t have the ball. When you close down you have to do it collectively.”He also questioned the overall balance within the side.The former Liverpool manager added: “Some of them are very good on the ball, but not so good at working hard when you don’t have the ball.”Another concern highlighted by the 72-year-old was the form of Mo Salah.Souness said: “You have to point out that Salah has not turned up this year.
I just know that they have to improve.”Later in the interview, Souness again avoided speculation over the manager’s future.He explained: “I’m not going to get into that. I think Liverpool is a great football club and historically they give the managers lots and lots of time to get it right.”Ryan Gravenberch has already admitted the performance against Galatasaray was not good enough but insisted the team believes the tie can still be turned around at Anfield.Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant has also criticised some of Slot’s decisions after the defeat in Istanbul.For now, though, Souness believes the focus should remain on improving performances rather than debating the Liverpool manager’s future.