Following Liverpool’s disappointing 3-2 loss to Fulham at Craven Cottage, former England midfielder Joe Cole launched a scathing attack on Reds manager Arne Slot, accusing him of mishandling one of the team’s most talented young players.
In a fiery post-match analysis, Cole stated:
“He’s better than Jude Bellingham and Camavinga. The only reason he hasn’t reached that level is due to mismanagement. Arne Slot failed to manage him properly. If he had more minutes on the pitch, he could have made the difference today.”
Cole’s remarks came after the young Liverpool star came off the bench and immediately lifted the team’s performance with energy, composure, and creativity — qualities that had been missing earlier in the game. Supporters at Craven Cottage and online were left baffled by the player’s limited game time.
“His talent is being wasted,” one fan posted on X. “Why wasn’t he starting?”
Despite a late surge from Liverpool, Fulham’s sharp finishing, with goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Andreas Pereira, secured victory for Marco Silva’s side. Yet the bigger talking point post-match was not just the defeat, but the underutilization of a player many now see as central to Liverpool’s future.
As Cole’s comments gain traction and fans demand clarity, the pressure is increasing on Slot to justify his lineup decisions. If the club keeps sidelining one of its most promising prospects, they risk more than just poor results — they could lose a rising star.
Calls for change are intensifying. Will Slot take notice?
