Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has emphatically dismissed suggestions that Steven Gerrard could replace under-pressure manager Arne Slot, while simultaneously throwing his support behind the current Anfield boss.
Carragher's Firm Verdict on Managerial Speculation
The speculation erupted following Liverpool's humiliating 4-1 Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield last week, a result that formed part of the club's worst sequence in 71 years. With nine defeats in 12 matches – including six losses in seven Premier League games – pressure mounted on Slot ahead of a critical trip to West Ham United.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Carragher was direct when asked if rumours of a sensational return for club icon Gerrard held any truth. "No, I wouldn't imagine," he stated. Carragher pointed to Gerrard's managerial record, noting his "great success at Rangers" and his stint at Aston Villa, but insisted the legendary former captain is not the solution fans are craving.
"He's a legendary figure and he's back, floating around Liverpool," Carragher said. "I don't think most Liverpool fans will be screaming for Steven Gerrard – everyone is desperate for it to work for Arne Slot."
A Vital Victory and a Vote of Confidence
Carragher's comments came after a pivotal 2-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, a result that offered Slot significant respite. Prior to the match, the Dutchman had vowed to "fight on" after talks with the club's hierarchy.
The win was secured by second-half goals from Alexander Isak – his first Premier League strike for the Reds following his £125 million summer move from Newcastle United – and Cody Gakpo. Carragher highlighted the importance of the fixture, describing it as the toughest in a run that also included games against struggling sides Sunderland and Leeds.
"It feels like if you don't get results in those, where do you go?" Carragher questioned, emphasising the high stakes. He also firmly backed the club's stance of sticking with Slot, the manager who delivered the Premier League title last season. "The idea of Liverpool changing the manager who won the league, Liverpool have never done that," he argued.
Questioning the Excuses and Looking Ahead
Carragher also addressed the frequent explanation for Isak's slow start – his lack of a pre-season – arguing that too much is made of it. Drawing from his own playing experience, he recalled breaking his leg in September after a full pre-season and returning months later without one.
"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," he asserted.
Ultimately, Carragher's message was one of patience and pragmatism. While acknowledging the severity of Liverpool's slump, he questioned who could realistically do a better job than Slot and dismissed the notion of an interim appointment. The focus, he insists, remains squarely on the current manager turning the tide, a process that began with that crucial clean-sheet victory in East London.
