Gerrard: Slot Must Stop Harping On About Low Blocks After Marseille Masterclass

Steven Gerrard has backed Arne Slot after Liverpool delivered one of their standout performances of the 2025/26 campaign, dismantling Marseille 3-0 in Champions League group-stage action on Wednesday evening. Yet the Liverpool legend wasn't entirely without criticism for his former club's manager.

Slot's tenure has been turbulent, with the Reds enduring a nine-loss stretch in 12 games earlier in the season—a far cry from their 20th Premier League title triumph last year. FSG's muddled transfer strategy and the deterioration of several key personnel have compounded matters, though Slot himself hasn't escaped scrutiny. The manager has faced mounting pressure, particularly given Liverpool's cautious approach in recent fixtures and their place among the bookmakers' favourites for the next Premier League sacking.

The Marseille victory, however, showcased what Liverpool can achieve when playing with conviction. And while Gerrard lavished praise on Slot's tactical acumen, he had a pointed message about one recurring theme.

"I'm really pleased for him. It can't be easy when you're under that pressure," Gerrard told TNT Sport post-match. "His tactics were spot on tonight. He deserves a lot of praise and credit."

But then came the caveat. "He needs to stop mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been happening at Liverpool since I played and many, many years before me. That's just the way it is, teams are going to try and do everything they can to stop Liverpool."

Gerrard's point was straightforward: dwelling on the problem doesn't solve it. "The key is finding solutions. You've got the players. Then you'll turn the low-block games into wins rather than draws. It's not going to change."

With Bournemouth awaiting this weekend, Gerrard stressed the importance of carrying Wednesday night's intensity forward. "They'll face a low block at times against Bournemouth at the weekend. They've got to be ruthless and the big players have got to step forward and score the goals to win games."

The former Rangers boss also emphasised the need for mental recalibration. Liverpool must savour their Marseille showing, recover properly, and then transport that same ruthlessness to the south coast.

"Now they've got to reset. Enjoy tonight, get yourselves recovered, get the team in a good place, but it's that mentality," Gerrard explained. "Take the same mentality to Bournemouth and treat Bournemouth like you did tonight, and then you won't have a problem against Bournemouth. It's about resetting the mentality."

Gerrard acknowledged Liverpool's pedigree—experienced campaigners, a recent league title, Champions League credentials—but stressed that consistency remains the hurdle. Virgil van Dijk himself admitted frustration at repeatedly chasing momentum rather than simply maintaining it, a sentiment Gerrard clearly shares.

The challenge now is straightforward: prove Marseille wasn't a one-off flourish, but the beginning of something more sustained.