Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard launched a scathing assessment of Arne Slot’s Liverpool side after the reigning champions were stunned by a dramatic stoppage-time defeat to Wolves at Molineux.
The Reds saw their hopes of securing a top-five finish and Champions League qualification take a severe hit when Wolves struck in the 94th minute to snatch victory on Tuesday night.
It continues a worrying trend for Liverpool this season.
They have now conceded five decisive goals in injury time in the Premier League campaign — more than any team has ever suffered in a single season in the competition’s history.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Gerrard did not hold back in his verdict on his former club’s performance.
“For 65 minutes Liverpool were desperate tonight, really poor,” the ex-captain said. “They didn’t play with the right tempo and they didn’t show the quality you expect from a team chasing the Champions League places.”
The defeat was made even more painful by the fact Liverpool will return to Molineux within days to face Wolves again in the FA Cup.
Gerrard warned that significant improvement will be required if they are to avoid another damaging result.
He also urged Slot to make a bold selection call by handing talented teenager Rio Ngumoha a starting role.
According to Gerrard, the youngster’s brief cameo had more impact than the contributions of established forward Cody Gakpo.
“He’s done more in that short spell than Gakpo did in 65 minutes,” Gerrard added.
“He deserves an opportunity. Slot has to start the kid on Friday night.”
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Gerrard was equally critical of Liverpool’s defending, which he believes played a major role in the defeat.
Discussing Wolves’ opening goal, he described it as a failure to deal with a simple attacking situation.
“It was just a basic ball up to the target man and they end up with a two-on-one. That has to be dealt with,” he said.
The second goal also drew criticism, with Gerrard pointing to a misplaced pass from goalkeeper Alisson Becker and a lack of reaction from the defenders in front of him.
“If they want to progress in the FA Cup they’ve got to defend a lot better,” Gerrard insisted. “People talk about being poor in the final third, but they have to defend properly as well.”
There was also debate about the build-up to Wolves’ first goal after a challenge involving Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Forward Tolu Arokodare appeared to shove Van Dijk while battling for the ball before the Wolves attack developed.
However Gerrard dismissed claims that a foul should have been awarded.
“I don’t think it’s a foul,” he said. “Van Dijk has to be stronger in that moment.
“And I think Ibrahima Konaté could have helped him out as well. He went in with the wrong leg and could have bailed him out. To claim a foul there feels like clutching at straws.”
After the match Van Dijk admitted Liverpool had not performed at the required level but stopped short of criticising the referee.
“It was slow, predictable and sloppy,” he said. “We made the wrong decisions in possession.”
The defeat leaves Liverpool nervously looking over their shoulder in the race for the top five.
If Chelsea defeat Aston Villa on Wednesday night, their superior goal difference would lift them above the Reds into fifth place.
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