Peter Crouch criticizes Arne Slot as Liverpool crisis 'needs to be addressed'

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The ex-striker acknowledged that Slot has angered supporters with his tactics in recent months, while he felt the performances against Manchester City and PSG were unacceptable

Peter Crouch has criticized Arne Slot's approach against PSG(Image: Getty Images)

Peter Crouch has criticized Arne Slot’s tactical approach against Paris Saint-Germain and claimed that Liverpool is “miles off” where it should be.

The Reds were easily beaten by PSG in midweek, with Slot’s side failing to register a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes and completing just 255 passes compared to the opposition’s 733 in the Champions League quarter-final.

That the scoreline remained at just two goals in the first leg was mainly due to PSG’s profligacy in front of goal, with Ousmane Dembele and Nuno Mendes missing big opportunities for Luis Enrique’s side. Slot, knowing the Parisians’ threat, opted to deploy a 3-5-2 shape that had limited success.

Instructing his center-backs to follow the ball into advanced areas certainly seemed counterproductive, and despite the extra defensive body, the Reds were cut open too easily. Slot has since come under criticism for his tactical approach, and Crouch admitted he is alarmed by how long the underwhelming run of performances has lasted.

“You can’t say he got it right,” the ex-Liverpool forward told PaddyPower.

“He’s got to say he got it wrong because it was so poor. I don’t think they had a shot on target in the end.

“I don’t think they’re playing with any urgency or fluency and it’s been going on for a little bit too long now, and it’s something that needs to be addressed. It could have been so much worse [than 2-0].”

Slot is under increasing pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Even more concerning is the Reds’ form since their return after the international break. Billed as a pivotal, season-defining period, Liverpool has put in meek showings against Manchester City and PSG, which have increased the scrutiny on Slot, and raised questions over the players’ efforts.

“Those last two games against Manchester City and Paris, Liverpool are just miles off those two teams at the minute,” said Crouch.

“Some of the players here just haven’t been up to it and the tactics have definitely rubbed the fans up the wrong way, I know that much.”

Crouch is alarmed by how long Liverpool's decline has lasted(Image: 2025 Ben Roberts - Danehouse)

Some supporters were filmed chanting Xabi Alonso’s name as they left the Etihad last week, and Slot’s approval ratings have taken a sharp nosedive in recent weeks.

That will increase further if the Reds lose at home to Fulham on Saturday and extend their run of defeats to four.

The London club is the only team to compete in the Premier League across both of Slot’s seasons at Liverpool and remain undefeated from its encounters, with Fulham winning once and drawing the other two fixtures.