Jamie Carragher has dismissed the idea of Steven Gerrard taking Arne Slott’s place, insisting Liverpool would be hard-pressed to find a better head coach than the Dutchman. Ahead of Sunday’s win over West Ham United, Slott vowed to “keep fighting” as Liverpool head coach as he consulted with the Anfield bosses following the club’s worst result in 71 years.
With nine defeats in 12 games, including six out of seven in the league, the trip to the London Stadium was crucial for the reigning champions if they were to end their downward spiral. However, a second-half goal from Alexander Isak, his first Premier League goal for the Reds, and a goal from Kodi Gakpo secured Slot’s side a much-needed 2-0 victory. Despite the recent downturn, the current manager is understood to maintain the support of the club hierarchy.
But that hasn’t stopped speculation about a possible successor at Anfield, with rumors of a sensational return just a year after Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
Steven Gerrard, who led the Reds to Champions League victory in 2005, was also considered.
But Carragher insists that not only is there no chance of his former colleague taking over as manager, but that everyone at Anfield is rooting for Slott to reverse the club’s fortunes.
“I felt that Liverpool playing West Ham was the toughest game of all the games because of the nature of the opposition,” he said on the Overlap Fan Debate.
“They are a team that has been in the bottom three all season, Sunderland are a promoted team and Leeds are also a promoted team who are in the bottom three.
“If we don’t get results there, then where do we go? The idea of Liverpool changing a manager who won the league, Liverpool have never done that. So who do they sign? The idea of an interim manager is like, who and how?”
Asked directly about speculation linking Gerrard to the role, Carragher said: “No, I wouldn’t imagine it. He was a manager at Villa and has had great success with Rangers.”
“He’s a legendary figure and he came floating back to Liverpool. I don’t think most Liverpool fans would be crying out for Steven Gerrard. Everyone is desperate for things to work for Arne Slott.
“They are in a very bad situation, but if we turn it around, how long will it last?”
In a bold move to halt his team’s feared decline, Slott left Mohamed Salah on the bench in favor of Isak against the Hammers.
Before Sunday, the Swedish forward had scored just one goal in the Carabao Cup since his £125m move from Newcastle United in the summer.
Carragher dismissed suggestions that Isaac’s lack of pre-season preparation should still be cited as an excuse.
“How long can we keep saying he (Isak) didn’t have a pre-season? That’s too much. I had a whole pre-season and then I broke my foot in September so I was out for four months.
“When I got back fit, I didn’t do pre-season. I trained for a few weeks, played a reserve game and then came back.
“I had more time off with injury than I did in the summer. Of course you need pre-season and building up your fitness – I understand that – but if you get injured during the season you don’t get pre-season until you come back. That’s too much of an excuse for people.”
