Jamie Carragher dismissed Jurgen Klopp's claims of Liverpool's managerial future
Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 10, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Jurgen Klopp believed he knew who would manage Liverpool in the future(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
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Jamie Carragher has cast doubt on Jurgen Klopp's prediction that Steven Gerrard would one day take charge at Liverpool. Speculation about the legendary Reds midfielder returning to Anfield as manager has swirled ever since he embarked on his coaching career.
Following a remarkable spell north of the border, where he steered Rangers to an invincible league championship in 2021, Gerrard made the switch to Aston Villa later that same year.
Before his inaugural visit back to Liverpool under Klopp's stewardship, the German was asked whether he envisaged the England icon occupying the Anfield hot seat one day. Klopp responded emphatically: "Oh yes I do, absolutely.
"I believe it will definitely happen. Good for everyone." Fast forward four years from Klopp's prediction, and talk of Gerrard heading back to Liverpool has resurfaced following a woeful opening to the campaign under Arne Slot.
Liverpool's 2-0 triumph over West Ham on Sunday halted their recent slump, with Carragher suggesting that if the Dutchman were to be dismissed, his old club would face a nightmare scenario in the hunt for a successor given the current shortage of top managers.
On The Overlap Fan Debate, the Sky Sports analyst said: "I felt like Liverpool playing West Ham was the toughest of those [current run of] games, because of the nature of the opposition.
"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?
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Alexander Isak and Arne Slot during Liverpool's win at West Ham
Arne Slot has been under immense pressure this season
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"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 pressed on speculation linking Gerrard with the role, Carragher poured cold water on the suggestions and insisted Anfield supporters are firmly behind Slot rather than calling for Gerrard's return. "No, I wouldn't imagine," Carragher responded.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 10, 2022 in Birmingham, United Kingdom
Steven Gerrard has been talked up by some as a potential future Liverpool manager
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"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?"
Despite enduring six league losses this campaign, the Reds have the opportunity to draw level on points with fourth-placed Villa should they overcome Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday evening.