Steven Gerrard’s frustration was evident as Liverpool dropped more points, drawing 1-1 with Burnley to become the first defending Premier League champions not to beat any of the three promoted sides at home in a single season.
Previous home draws against Leeds United and Sunderland compounded the disappointment, with audible boos at full-time despite the result extending the Reds’ unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Speaking on TNT Sports, Gerrard labelled the performance “unacceptable” but insisted Arne Slot still “deserves credit” for halting a damaging run that included nine defeats in 12 games and an early Carabao Cup exit.
Liverpool now sit fourth in the table, one point clear of Manchester United, with a top-four finish appearing to be their realistic target this season.
Gerrard said: “That won’t be acceptable – a draw with Burnley at home, with all due respect. If you’re being critical of the Liverpool team – even though they’re on a better run in terms of unbeaten games – the draws to the likes of Leeds and Burnley at home. That’s not acceptable.
“There will be a lot of criticism that comes the manager’s way again. But give the manager credit. The last time we spoke about this, you asked me if the team was in a crisis, and I said I didn’t think it was in a crisis because I felt like this manager was capable of making things better and steadying the ship.
“He has moved the team from the middle of the table and up back into the Champions League positions.
“I think that will be a priority for him and the team, minimum top four this season, but that won’t take anything away from the criticism that will come his way.”
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