Arne Slot has conceded that Liverpool's struggles this season stem partly from his own tactical approach and the team's difficulty in breaking down defensively oriented opponents. This admission comes amidst a backdrop of scrutiny, despite Liverpool maintaining a 13-game unbeaten run. Slot's comments also follow remarks from Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, who suggested that the current Liverpool head coach talks too much about the "low block" and needs to find better solutions to unlock defenses.

Liverpool, the defending Premier League champions, currently sit fourth in the league standings, 14 points behind Arsenal after 22 matches. While their unbeaten streak across all competitions is commendable, a recent series of drawn league games and the persistent challenge of overcoming teams employing a low block have fueled concerns among fans and pundits alike.

Slot's "surprise admission" isn't a complete deflection of responsibility but rather a candid assessment of the challenges he and his team are facing. He acknowledged Gerrard's point, stating, "I can only agree with him, that I speak a lot about low blocks - because we face a lot of low blocks! And if people ask me after the game my opinion about the games I have to describe something". He further noted that Gerrard himself faced similar defensive tactics during his playing career and possessed the quality to overcome them.

The Liverpool manager's concerns aren't unfounded. Several teams, including Leeds United, Sunderland and Burnley, have proven difficult to break down this season. This has led to dropped points and increased pressure on the team to find alternative attacking strategies. According to some reports, Slot's current system places excessive pressure on certain players, such as Cody Gakpo, who may be better suited as an impact substitute.

Despite the challenges, Slot maintains a positive outlook. He believes that Liverpool's recent 3-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League demonstrates their ability to adapt and overcome tactical obstacles. He also expressed confidence in the summer signings, backing them to prove their worth in the future. Slot also stated that he does not expect any transfer activity this month, but the door is open for a new signing to arrive before the end of the January transfer window. He clarified that if there’s an opportunity to strengthen the team, the club will explore it.

Jamie Carragher has also spoken out against what he sees as unfair criticism directed at Slot, urging fans to show more respect for the manager. Carragher highlighted that Slot has stabilized the team after a difficult start to the season, including navigating a public disagreement with Mohamed Salah. He acknowledged that while Liverpool still needs to address issues at both ends of the pitch, the negativity surrounding Slot is unwarranted, especially considering the team's unbeaten run.