Jamie Carragher has delivered a verdict on his former Liverpool teammate Xabi Alonso becoming Chelsea manager
Jamie Carragher
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has issued a Xabi Alonso to Chelsea verdict (Image: Sky Sports)
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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher admits he will be hoping Chelsea fare well if Xabi Alonso takes charge at Stamford Bridge, owing to their friendship.
Carragher and Alonso lifted the Champions League together at Anfield. The Spaniard, who has been without a role since his dismissal by Real Madrid in January, is considered the leading candidate for the Chelsea position following Liam Rosenior's departure.
"If he does get the job, I'll probably want Chelsea to win a little bit more than I normally do with him being a former teammate," Carragher said on Sky Sports from Villa Park.
"We'll see if Xabi gets the job, and if he does really well next season.
"That may be a masterstroke next season by not listening to the pressure of the supporters and sticking with the manager (Arne Slot) who's already won the Premier League."
Slot addressed the media on Thursday before his team's encounter with Aston Villa, expressing his belief that he would remain in post next term. The expectation is that Liverpool will persevere with their manager rather than pursue a change.
"I don't think I am deciding that myself alone," Slot responded when questioned about the situation following a challenging campaign.
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"I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.
"Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that, if that is what you want to know."
Liverpool conclude the campaign at home to Brentford and require just three additional points to secure Champions League qualification.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot reacts
Arne Slot is expected to remain in charge of Liverpool for the next campaign
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"If a manager or a club doesn't have their best season, there is always debate about that," Slot added.
"It is not only at Liverpool. It is all around the world. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people that judge me. They have every right to have their opinion.
"In this modern time, everyone can share their opinion. This happened 10-15 years ago, but then you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it.
"Now it is also done in a pub. From what I am reading, they must have drunk a little bit [laughs]. That is a joke! But now it is much more out in the open."