Carragher says Slot ‘won’t have a leg to stand on’ in new Liverpool sack verdict

Jamie Carragher has painted a worrying picture for Liverpool and Arne Slot after their latest Premier League struggle saw the Dutchman come under pressure

Jamie Carragher believes Arne Slot will be sacked if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League this season. The former Reds defender believes Slot’s side are ill-equipped for Premier League football this season, despite their title win last term.

Liverpool recorded historically bad form earlier this season, and defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend saw the end of an unbeaten run that had seen some recovery. The Reds sit sixth in the division, below Chelsea in fifth and a rejuvenated Manchester United in fourth position.

Carragher does not believe Slot should be judged too harshly for not challenging for the title this season, but dropping out of Europe’s biggest competition could prove to be a red line for the Dutchman. The Sky Sports pundit is not convinced Liverpool will be successful in that endeavour.

“If I think of the big three things that would stand out for me in the Premier League, that you’re coming up against, it’s set-pieces and long throws, it’s counter-attacking football for and against, both set-pieces and counter-attacking. If you’re a top team like Liverpool, coming up against low blocks, as Arne Slot likes to say, Liverpool can’t cope with any of them,” said Carragher on Monday Night Football.

“We’re seeing a team not suited to the Premier League. But when we see them in Europe, are set pieces and long throws as important? No. Is counter-attacking as important? Counterattacking is always important, but not as much in Europe, and nobody is just sitting there in a low block. So this suits Liverpool. They can beat Real Madrid, they can go away to Inter Milan and win, go away to Marseille and win and they’ll finish in the top eight and be in the knockout round.

READ MORE: Premier League sack race: Thomas Frank clinging on as Arne Slot still in dangerREAD MORE: Liverpool suffer another injury blow as defender set for two months out

“Liverpool, I think, as a club and support, can accept a collective responsibility around ‘we’re not going to win the league this year, and we’re not going to challenge. Not good enough but we accept it’.

“Once you start seeing what Manchester United have done the last couple of weeks, once you see Chelsea. Once you start seeing where Liverpool could actually finish outside the Champions League positions because I really fear for them. I don’t think this team is equipped for Premier League Football.

“Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season, that’s when I feel we’ve got a different proposition when we’re talking about the manager’s job. That, for me, is completely different.

“Not winning the league or challenging for the league, that is a collective responsibility, and Liverpool don’t win the league every year. Not making the Champions League from champions, spending £450million and having the highest wage bill, which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish. I think you’ve got serious questions.”

Dave Jones then asked: “Champions League or bust for Slot?”

“In terms of qualifying, yeah,” came the reply. “I think some of the criticism he’s had and disrespect from Liverpool supporters that I see and know, is far too much considering he won the league last season. But if you don’t qualify for the Champions League having won the league and spent as much as Liverpool do, I don’t think you’ve got a leg to stand on.

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