Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard has shared his hopes that Arne Slot can turn around the Reds’ fortunes and he has identified one ‘key’ fixture that will help the boss in his efforts
Steven Gerrard has talked up the importance of Liverpool’s showdown against Fulham.(Image: Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard believes the Fulham fixture could prove to be a defining moment in Arne Slot’s Liverpool reign. The 45-year-old reckons that a victory over the Cottagers could keep the heat on Manchester United and Aston Villa in the race for a top-four finish.
However, a failure to beat Fulham at Anfield on April 14, coupled with a damaging defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, would leave the Liverpool legend deeply concerned. Liverpool have the opportunity to bounce back against PSG in the Champions League just days after their humiliating 4-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup.
But facing the reigning Champions League holders presents a stern test for a rattled Reds side, with Virgil van Dijk openly admitting they ‘gave up’ in Greater Manchester. Gerrard reaffirmed his belief that the Premier League-winning boss can turn things around on Merseyside, stressing the vital importance of securing Champions League football at Anfield next season.
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He told talkSPORT: “The players have admitted it, the manager has, it’s not good enough. It’s a huge week, they’ve got to stand up and be counted, stick together and grasp the opportunity to put pressure on Aston Villa and Manchester United against Fulham, which is arguably as important.
“They’ve got to give everything against PSG and take them to Anfield, try and galvanise the season, if it goes the other way, unfortunately, the pressure, heat, intensity comes on the players and Arne Slot. From a fan’s point of view, I don’t want to see it.
“It’s key, that’s why I say I think the Fulham game is just as important. If the ownership sees that gap to Villa or United stretch, I worry for the manager’s position.
“I don’t want to see it happen, I’m a huge fan, I was blown away by his first season, he’s a good man, a very good coach after what he’s done. The key to the situation is the Fulham game.
“If he can put more heat on Villa and United and stay in the PSG game, everything will be fine and in a better place in six days’ time. If this was to get worse, I’d be worried for the manager, I must say.”
Marco Silva’s Fulham travel to Anfield on Saturday (April 11), with the Cottagers’ clash squeezed into Liverpool’s punishing Champions League schedule on either side.
Liverpool currently occupy fifth place, five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa and six points behind Manchester United, while holding a precarious advantage over Chelsea, Brentford and Everton breathing down their necks.
Fulham trail the Reds by five points, and a victory could breathe new life into their European ambitions under the former Blues boss.
Pressure is building on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)
Saturday’s late kick-off presents Liverpool with the chance to close the gap on their Champions League rivals while pulling clear of the sides snapping at their heels. Chelsea make the trip to Brentford and, barring a dramatic swing in goal difference, Liverpool look set to remain ahead of both clubs.
A victory for Liverpool against Fulham could heap some pressure on the sides above them, with Aston Villa heading to relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Sunday (2pm kick-off), while Chelsea host Manchester City (Sunday 4.30pm) before the Red Devils take on Leeds United (Monday at 8pm).
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