Carragher Sounds Alarm On Liverpool Form Under Slot

Liverpool’s turbulent autumn has invited every kind of scrutiny, yet few voices cut through the noise quite like Jamie Carragher’s. As Arne Slot attempts to steady a listing side that has suffered nine defeats in twelve matches, Carragher’s stark assessment of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk has become the story within the story. The long serving pair, both cornerstones of Liverpool’s modern era, are again in the spotlight after a bruising 4-1 defeat to PSV in the Champions League.

Concerns Over Declining Influence

Carragher did not flinch when addressing the growing debate around the duo. He believes the pair are showing signs of age after a relentless stretch of seasons at the top. “You’re watching Van Dijk now, not the same player, and Salah looks like his legs have gone,” Carragher said on CBS Sports.

Liverpool’s collapse against PSV added weight to the argument. Van Dijk’s handball, one of three penalties he has conceded in all competitions this season, symbolised a defender no longer dictating games with the authority he once commanded. “Van Dijk now can’t help other players. He needs help himself. That just means that he’s a normal centre-back, like I was at one stage. He’s not superhuman right now.”

Salah’s output tells its own story. After breaking records last season, he has managed only one goal in his last five appearances. For a player who built his reputation on consistency, explosiveness and decisive moments, it marks a noticeable shift in rhythm. Liverpool have conceded at least three goals in three straight matches for the first time since 1953, and that defensive instability has only heightened Carragher’s frustration. “I don’t like criticising them on the pitch, because they’re absolutely legendary what they’ve done, and the legs have just gone, especially with Salah.”

Expectation On Others To Step Up

Carragher’s argument stretches beyond individual form. He challenged the rest of the squad to take responsibility during this unprecedented run. “I look at some of the others. Step up. Can you only play well when they play well, or they carry you? Their seasons last season were off the scale.”

This sense of dependency has become a defining issue. Liverpool enjoyed a title winning campaign only six months ago, yet the structure, confidence and tempo that carried them to glory have evaporated. With West Ham away and Sunderland at home looming, Slot faces a defining week.

Slot’s Position And Liverpool Identity

Despite the turbulence, Carragher does not believe Slot is close to losing his job. “Liverpool are different from almost every club in European football, where the manager is the king, the managers get time,” he said. “Liverpool have never sacked a manager who’s won the league. Never, in history.”

Carragher admitted there is always a point at which a manager’s situation can become untenable, but he reiterated that Slot has not reached it. “I’m not quite there yet personally, in terms of the manager, but I know a lot of supporters will be.”

What Liverpool need now is clarity, resilience and leadership. Carragher’s message, sharp as ever, leaves little room for ambiguity.