“Unacceptable” – Steven Gerrard speaks bluntly after another Liverpool setback

Steven Gerrard pulled no punches after Liverpool surrendered more points at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against 19th-placed Burnley, a result that stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions but also prolonged their Premier League winless streak to four matches. Once again, a newly promoted side left Anfield with a point, and victories for Manchester United and Chelsea narrowed Liverpool’s cushion in the race for the final guaranteed Champions League spot.
Gerrard: Home draws are ‘not acceptable’
Speaking on TNT Sports after full-time, Gerrard praised Arne Slot for guiding Liverpool away from the bleak position they occupied in November, but made it clear the Dutchman must accept criticism for the latest result.
The former captain said:
“While they’re on a good run in terms of staying unbeaten, drawing at home to teams like Leeds and Burnley is something you and I both know is not acceptable. That’s why the manager will face criticism again.
“Credit where it’s due — the last time we discussed this, you asked if the team were in crisis and I said I didn’t believe so. I felt the manager was capable of improving things and stabilising the side, and he’s done that by lifting them from mid-table back into the Champions League places.
“That will be the minimum objective for him and the team this season, but it doesn’t take away from the criticism that will come after results like this.”
Anfield struggles becoming a major concern
Liverpool’s home form has been alarmingly below par. During last season’s title-winning campaign, they dropped points at Anfield just five times — with two of those coming after the title was already secured.
This season, however, they’ve already failed to win five of their 11 home league matches, drawing against all three promoted sides and losing to both Manchester United and Nottingham Forest.
Adding to the concern, criticism of Slot’s style of play — described by Lewis Steele as “hard to watch” — is increasingly echoed by supporters. Frustration boiled over at the final whistle against Burnley, with some boos audible around the ground.
Gerrard’s frustration over the mounting number of draws is justified. They make up half of Liverpool’s current unbeaten run and have stopped the Reds from creating daylight between themselves and their rivals in the top-four race.
While xG figures of 2.96 for Liverpool and just 0.4 for Scott Parker’s Burnley (via Sky Sports) underline how dominant the Reds were, they also highlight a worrying lack of cutting edge. Unless that wastefulness in front of goal is fixed, Champions League football at Anfield next season could be far from guaranteed.