Peter Crouch makes FSG claim over Arne Slot future after Liverpool boos

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Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch was speaking after his old club's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday was met by jeersPeter Crouch believes 'conversations are going to have to be had' in the Liverpool boardroom after supporters made their frustration clear in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.The Reds made the perfect start when Ryan Gravenberch curled in a superb sixth-minute opener but they were unable to maintain the momentum and a Chelsea side that had lost their last six Premier League matches equalised in the 35th minute through Enzo Fernandez.Liverpool were booed off at full-time while jeers also accompanied Arne Slot's decision to replace Rio Ngumoha in the 67th minute. The head coach later explained he made the unpopular substation because the 17-year-old rising star was suffering from cramp.READ MORE: Joe Gomez lifts lid on Liverpool dressing room talks and responds to boos - 'it does hurt'READ MORE: National media react as Liverpool 'worse than Roy Hodgson' with positivity 'non-existent'The result inched the defending champions closer to qualifying for next season's Champions League with three points from their final two games of the season - away to Aston Villa on Friday and at home to Brentford on Sunday, May 24 - mathematically guaranteeing a top-five finish.But the performance and the reaction of the fans increased the scrutiny on Slot, who led the club to title glory in his first season in charge after replacing Jurgen Klopp but whose second season, while beset by some circumstances beyond his control, has been a struggle.The title holders are 17 points behind table-topping Arsenal and have suffered 18 defeats across the course of the campaign as well as suffering a penalty shoot-out loss to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.It has been stressed that Slot has the support of owners FSG but former fan favourite Crouch, who scored 42 goals in 134 appearances for the club during his playing career, believes high-level talks will need to be staged.The TNT Sports pundit, speaking after the draw with Chelsea, said: "There is an element of that (Slot has 'lost' the fans).

He was a one-off and the style of football was so exciting and so attacking, and it's very difficult to live up to that."And unfortunately, I think the style of play, maybe some of the recruitment, have they been up to the levels? Certainly not of previous seasons, no, and that's disappointing the fans."The fans are very knowledgeable in this stadium and I think they know that is this the direction that we want to go?"I think that's where, certainly in the summer, conversations are going to have to be had about whether we double down and back Arne Slot, or is this the direction we want to go?

And they are the questions for upstairs."Of the boos from supporters at the final whistle, Slot said: "After the game it also makes sense because I don't feel this club should be happy with a 1-1 result against Chelsea."We always aim for a win and if we don't win then we are disappointed, especially in a season where we haven't won a lot or not as much as people expect us to do."It's just building up frustration and that came out probably after half-time, but the players and myself had the same frustration as the fans."The fourth-placed Reds return to action at fifth-placed Villa on Friday night (8pm kick-off).FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page