Jamie Carragher’s view on Steven Gerrard replacing Arne Slot as Liverpool boss | Football | Sport

Jamie Carragher has dismissed the idea of Steven Gerrard stepping into Arne Slot‘s shoes, asserting that Liverpool would be hard-pressed to find a superior head coach than the Dutchman. Ahead of their triumph over West Ham United on Sunday, Slot pledged to “fight on” as Liverpool’s head coach amidst discussions with Anfield’s top brass following the club’s most dismal run of results in 71 years.

With nine losses in 12 matches – including six out of seven league games – the journey to London Stadium was crucial for the reigning champions to halt their downward spiral. However, second-half goals from Alexander Isak, marking his first Premier League goal for the Reds, and Cody Gakpo ensured a much-needed 2-0 victory for Slot’s team. Despite the recent downturn, the current manager is understood to have maintained the backing of the club’s hierarchy.

Yet, this hasn’t quelled speculation about potential successors at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp rumoured for a sensational comeback just a year after his departure.

Steven Gerrard, who led the Reds to Champions League victory in 2005, was another name thrown into the mix.

However, Carragher insists not only is there no chance of his former colleague taking the helm, but everyone associated with Anfield is rooting for Slot to reverse the club’s fortunes.

“I felt like Liverpool playing West Ham was the toughest of those [current run of] games, because of the nature of the opposition,” he shared during The Overlap Fan Debate.

“They are a team that have been in the bottom three all season, a promoted team in Sunderland, and Leeds are another promoted team who are in the bottom three.

“It feels like if you don’t get results in those, where do you go? The idea of Liverpool changing the manager who won the league, Liverpool have never done that. Then, who do you get? The idea of an interim manager just feels like, who and how?”

When questioned directly about speculation linking Gerrard with the role, Carragher responded: “No, I wouldn’t imagine. He’s been a manager at Villa and had great success at Rangers as well.

“He’s a legendary figure and he’s back, floating down Liverpool. I don’t think most Liverpool fans will be screaming for Steven Gerrard – everyone is desperate for it to work for Arne Slot.

“They’re on such a bad run, the flipside of that is then how long does it carry on?”.

In a bold move to arrest their worrying decline, Slot benched Mohamed Salah in favour of Isak for the clash with the Hammers.

Prior to Sunday, the Swedish forward had managed just a solitary Carabao Cup goal since his £125million summer transfer from Newcastle United.

Carragher dismissed suggestions that Isak’s lack of pre-season preparation should still be cited as an excuse.

He remarked: “How long can you keep saying he [Isak] had no pre-season? Too much is made of it. I did a whole pre-season and broke my leg in September, so I was out for four months.

“When I got back fit, I didn’t do a pre-season – I did a few weeks of training, played in a reserve game, and then I was back into it.

“I had longer off with my injury than I had in the summer. Of course, you need pre-season and to build your fitness – I get all that – but anyone who gets an injury during the season doesn’t get a pre-season before he comes back. It gives people too much of an excuse.”