Steven Gerrard makes Arne Slot complaint following speculation he would replace Liverpool manager

The victory at the Stade Velodrome significantly boosted the Reds' prospects of securing a top-eight finish, which would allow them to bypass the knockout play-off round.

Following the game, Slot told TNT Sports that the Premier League champions could produce similar performances more often if teams didn't sit so deep.

The Liverpool boss said: "I know so well why we are not consistent. That mainly has to do with when a game is more open, when players can play through the lines and tactics are involved, and they show how good they are, that's completely different from against a low block.

"You need a completely different quality against a low block. Against a low block, it doesn't have much to do with what you prepare before the game. You just have the ball a lot, get in the final third, and something should happen.

"You cannot compare that with the game tonight when both teams want to play out from the back and press. Every game we've played this season when this was the situation, we've played very good games. Many of these games we've got results, lost against Man City and Chelsea.

"Why we are inconsistent, if you want to call 14 times unbeaten 'inconsistent', that has all to do with us struggling against a low block."

However, Reds legend Gerrard argued that Slot must find ways to address the problem.

He said: "He needs to stop mentioning low blocks.

"Low blocks have been happening at Liverpool since I played and many, many years before me. That’s just the way it is, teams are going to try and do everything they can to stop Liverpool.

"The key is finding solutions. You’ve got the players. Then you’ll turn the low-block games into wins rather than draws. It’s not going to change."

The former Liverpool midfielder added: "They’ll face a low block at times against Bournemouth at the weekend. They’ve got to be ruthless and the big players have got to step forward and score the goals to win games."

Slot also brought up the issue when speaking to CBS Sports.

He said: "Today we didn't face a low block and we played a very good game. If you face a low block, it's very hard to get pace into the game."

Dominik Szoboszlai's ingenious set-piece broke the deadlock, before an unfortunate own goal from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli doubled the advantage.

Substitute Cody Gakpo then wrapped up proceedings with a late strike.

It was a much-needed win for Liverpool, who have experienced a significant drop in form, particularly a run of five wins in 17 Premier League games, which is statistically worse than the Roy Hodgson era at the club.

This form included a period of nine defeats in 12 matches across all competitions at one point.

During this period, speculation around Slot's job began to swirl, with Gerard among the names floated as a replacement to manage his former club.

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