Jamie Carragher expressed frustration with Arne Slot’s extensive praise for Pep Guardiola, likening him to a “hero,” just before Liverpool suffered a significant 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, exposing the Reds’ physical struggles.
Liverpool great Jamie Carragher has voiced frustration regarding manager Arne Slot’s comments about Pep Guardiola ahead of the Reds’ heavy 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, according to a report from Liverpool.com.
The loss at the Etihad Stadium, which marked Guardiola’s 1,000th match as a manager, leaves Liverpool “languishing in eighth place” and having been defeated in “seven of its past 10 fixtures across all competitions.”
Carragher outlined his reasons for the team’s struggles, stating on the Stick to Football podcast: “If we’re being totally honest, in the games they’ve lost, they can’t handle the physicality of the Premier League this season, they can’t.”
However, his main point of contention was Slot’s attitude toward the City manager, stating the Dutchman spoke “glowingly about Pep Guardiola as though he were his ‘hero'” before the game.
Prior to the match, Slot went to considerable lengths to praise his counterpart, telling Sky Sports:
“You’re always looking forward to watching his team play. … At least I never get bored because his team always have a very good and clear idea in ball possession, they always try to make the people happy.”
Slot added that Guardiola stands out because “in the style he has won his trophies, that is why he stands out compared to many others.”