Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham in the Premier League has sparked significant debate, with pundit Gary Neville criticizing manager Arne Slot for what he called poor tactical decisions.
The match, where Fulham took the lead twice before Liverpool equalized through goals from Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, has left fans and analysts questioning whether Slot’s team selection contributed to the missed victory.
Neville, who analyzed the match closely, was particularly harsh about Slot’s decision to include a player he described as an “overrated underperformer.” While Neville didn’t name the player, fans speculated it was midfielder Curtis Jones, whose performance received mixed reviews.
Neville stated that the player squandered several chances to provide key assists and made poor decisions at critical moments, which he felt contributed to Liverpool’s failure to secure all three points.
“Arne Slot has done well at Liverpool so far, but tonight he got it wrong,” Neville said during his post-match commentary.
“There were clear signs that some players weren’t up to the task, but he left them on the field for too long. In a competitive league, you can’t afford to carry underperforming players.”
Neville’s criticism also extended to Slot’s handling of the game, particularly his delay in making substitutions.
“Fulham were exploiting Liverpool’s weaknesses throughout the match,” Neville added. “It was clear that changes were needed, but Slot waited too long to make them. By the time he acted, it was too late.”
Fans on social media were divided in their responses to Neville’s comments. Some supported his view, agreeing that Slot’s tactical mistakes and selections cost Liverpool the win, while others defended the manager, noting the team’s resilience to fight back twice and recognizing Fulham, under Marco Silva, as a strong side. One fan tweeted, “Neville is right—there were players who didn’t deliver. Slot needs to be tougher.” Another countered, “Blaming Slot for a draw against a strong Fulham team is unfair. Sometimes things don’t go as planned in football.”
Slot himself acknowledged the team’s mistakes in his post-match interview but avoided singling out any players. “We didn’t execute our game plan well enough,” he admitted. “There’s always room for improvement, and we’ll review where we can do better.”
As Liverpool prepares for their next match, the pressure is mounting on Slot to avoid dropping more points in their pursuit of Premier League success.
Neville’s criticism, though harsh, serves as a reminder of the high expectations for Liverpool under their highly regarded manager.
