Arne Slot has been told to ‘show a little more respect’ to other clubs in the Premier League after recent comments made by Liverpool’s manager.
The Dutchman hasn’t been afraid to speak about how his side have struggled against a certain style of football. When teams go direct against the Premier League champions, they tend to struggle.
This was on full display in disappointing defeats against sides like Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brentford this season.
Alan Pardew slams Arne Slot for lack of ‘respect’
Former Newcastle and Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has slammed the way Slot speaks about opposing teams in press conferences and interviews.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pardew claimed he’s been ‘fed up’ with excuses from the Liverpool boss.
He said: “I’m fed up with him because when he gets beat, he comes out with excuses about how the opposition are setting up, etc.”
The Reds have managed to secure impressive wins against Sunderland and Brighton in the last couple of matches. After the 3-0 FA Cup victory over the latter, Slot managed to annoy Pardew even more.
“Now when he wins a game against Brighton, he almost pats them on the back like, ‘Okay, this is the sort of team I want to play against’,” he continued.
The 64-year-old, who was known for his pragmatic approach, added: “That is what makes the Premier League. The fact that there are different ways of playing the game. Don’t be a snob about it.
“Just get on with it. It’s part of the game. I’m fed up with him, Arne Slot, I really am. I want him to just show a little more respect to other clubs’ situations.”
Steven Gerrard begged Slot to stop ‘low block’ comments
It’s not the first time the 47-year-old has received criticism in the media. In January, club legend Steven Gerrard pleaded with the Liverpool boss to stop mentioning low blocks.
“He needs to stop mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been happening against Liverpool since I was playing. That’s just the way it is,” Gerrard said after a 3-0 Champions League win against Marseille.
The retired midfielder was prompted into saying that by Slot’s insistence on even mentioning low blocks after a good European win.
Liverpool’s form in the Premier League vs the Champions League (2025/26):
| Category | Premier League | Champions League |
| Current Standing | 6th Place | 3rd Place (League Phase) |
| Record (W-D-L) | 12-6-8 | 6-0-2 |
| Win Percentage | ~46% | 75% |
| Goals Scored | 41 | 20 |
| Goals Conceded | 35 | 8 |
| Clean Sheets | 6 | 4 |
The Dutchman came out after the game in France and explained that the defensive way teams were setting up against Liverpool was a big factor in their poor season.
He explained: “You need a completely different quality against a low block. Against a low block, it doesn’t have much to do with what you prepare before the game. You just have the ball a lot, get in the final third, and something should happen.”
At the time, the English side had gone 14 matches without defeat, while failing to set the world alight. Slot concluded: “Why we are inconsistent – if you want to call 14 times unbeaten ‘inconsistent’ – that has all to do with us struggling against a low block.”
