Football, similar to life itself, is very much about perception. What is viewed as an encouraging positive by some may be interpreted as a blistering negative by others.

Arne Slot discovered that for himself this week during the immediate fall-out of Liverpool's dismal Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United last Sunday.

In assessing the game, Slot pointed out his team struggled to find a way through a United side who started without a recognised striker, sat back with an organised defence and were more than happy to play the ball long.

For most who watched, it was a fair enough assessment and a further example of how best to negate the Premier League champions.

But for some it was seen as one of the most grievous comments ever uttered against the Old...