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Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has claimed he was “surprised” by Arne Slot’s thinly veiled criticism of Jeremie Frimpong on Saturday in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Reds dropped points for the first time this season when Oliver Glasner’s side earned a well-deserved victory at Selhurst Park. On an off day for the Premier League champions, Palace should have established a commanding lead by half-time, but Alisson’s heroics kept the hosts’ lead to one goal.
Liverpool thought it had taken a point in an improved second-half display when Federico Chiesa equalized. Instead, it was Palace that nicked victory in injury-time as Eddie Nketiah smashed home a dramatic winner.
In the chaos of a Jefferson Lerma long throw, the ex-Arsenal man evaded his marker in the box before firing beyond Alisson. Frimpong had been assigned to mark Nketiah but, as the ball was initially cleared, he pushed forward.
When Will Hughes headed the ball back into the box, Palace’s No. 9 had time to control and volley into the net.
Speaking post-match, Slot didn’t hide his frustration at Frimpong’s decision to advance forward in the final seconds of the game.
“We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” claimed the Liverpool head coach.
“One of our players ran out because he wanted to play a counter-attack, which was of no use because time was up, so it was only about defending,” he added, clearly referencing Frimpong.
“One player was too offensively minded in that moment, which led to them scoring the winner and us losing the game.”
Speaking during BeIN Sports’ weekend coverage of the Premier League, McAteer admitted he was taken aback that Slot had specifically blamed one player.
“I am surprised that Arne Slot has done that in public because, like you said, we know who the player is. It’s not like there are three or four of them.”
Those comments were echoed by his fellow BeIN pundit, Andy Gray. “It was last-minute,” he said. “They’ve had some very good fortune themselves in stoppage time this season already.
“He was obviously gutted because he had a pop at the fourth official. When the goal went in, he was in his ear right away, complaining about something.
“Frimpong is a new player into the club; he’ll still be finding out what is good and not good. I bet if that had been Trent Alexander-Arnold or [Mohamed] Salah, he wouldn’t have mentioned it.”
When it was suggested in the studio that Slot lacks humility this season in the wake of Liverpool's title win, McAteer said he has noticed a change in the Dutchman's demeanor during press conferences.
“I wouldn’t say he is basking in his own glory, but he is more confident now,” said the Republic of Ireland international.
“I think he’s more confident in front of the press now. He was a closed book last season; he’s more jovial in press conferences right now. He’s everybody’s mate now.”
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