- Journalist Henry Winter slams Liverpool’s Brighton defeat
- Reds called ‘worst defending champions’ in years
- Sent warning ahead of PSG clash next month
Liverpool’s loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, March 21, has seen widespread criticism of Arne Slot’s side. The Reds were questioned by former players and pundits after the loss, and now journalists have chimed in.
Henry Winter has labelled this season as the worst title defence in the Premier League in years. The Reds are set to finish outside the top two this season, making it the worst finish since Chelsea in 2015/16, when they finished 10th.
A 2-1 defeat to Brighton has cast major doubts over Slot’s future and hopes of Champions League qualification. The expectation heading into the campaign was that the Merseysiders would be challenging for the title again.
‘Liverpool are a tough watch’
Winter wrote a lengthy assessment of the Reds following the Brighton defeat. He took aim at the lack of fight shown in trying to defend the Premier League title:
“Liverpool’s anaemic title defence has to go down as one of the worst in years. To play with this lack of intensity, this lack of organisation defensively, this lack of pace is so poor and reflects badly on Arne Slot. Liverpool teams have identity. This one doesn’t.”
Winter went on to slam the decision-makers, saying they left Arne Slot out in the cold. He believes that the club should have signed Marc Guehi in the summer and added:
“Liverpool are such a difficult watch: good players shorn of energy and belief (Kerkez and Mamardashvili played well, Ngumoha deserves to come on earlier). Mitigating factors exist, including the failure to move earlier last summer and land Marc Guehi that proved very damaging.”
Liverpool Told To Wait Over Slot Call
Winter suggested the Dutchman should remain in charge until the summer. The English journalist highlighted that the Reds are still in two competitions including the Champions League quarter-finals:
“A decision has to be made on Slot in the summer, but surely not now. Not while Liverpool are still in the Champions League – although PS-G’s Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola and Doue will take some stopping by that vulnerable defence. Not while they are still in the FA Cup – although they travel to Manchester City four days before visiting PS-G.”
He added:
“And not while they still have a chance of finishing in the top five – although their run-in involves run-ins: Everton, Manchester United, and Aston Villa away. Fulham, Palace, Chelsea (six-pointer), and Brentford at home. Forbidding schedule.”
Liverpool face Manchester City next in the FA Cup when the players return from the international break. The first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain comes after.
