Jamie Carragher has raised doubts about whether new Liverpool manager Arne Slot will wield the same authority as Jurgen Klopp when it comes to the transfer market.
The pundit suggested that, unlike his predecessor, Slot might not have the clout to prevent star players from leaving if substantial offers come in. Slot is preparing for his first title defense with the club, reinforcing the squad by securing Jeremie Frimpong and potentially welcoming additions like Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and AFC Bournemouth, respectively.
Slot only managed to bring in Federico Chiesa in his initial window, but is now being heavily supported. However, with new faces poised to join Anfield, there are whispers about potential departures, including Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.
With Bayern Munich's reported interest in Gakpo and Barcelona's Deco expressing admiration for Diaz, Carragher emphasized on 'The Overlap' that while Klopp might have managed to keep such players, Slot may not have that power.
Carragher, with insider knowledge, touched upon the undercurrents at Liverpool: "We know a little bit of what's gone on behind the scenes. They've brought all the old transfer people back if you like. They had a falling out with Klopp, but they're back now running the club.
"The great thing they built with Klopp, this great team and then they moved away as Klopp got more power. I think players who have been legends for the club and won the biggest trophies, were given contracts and were allowed to stay at Liverpool longer, too long basically.
manager Arne Slot of Liverpool with a medal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Arne Slot is set to gain plenty of Liverpool recruits this summer (Image: Getty Images)
"That's why Liverpool fell off for a little bit and then came back. I think the way they want to run Liverpool is that they are not going to sell their absolute best players.
"But a Diaz or a Gakpo, who are good players, they wouldn't want to sell them, but if someone made them an offer, that they think 'That's more than what we think (they are worth)' I think that's the way it will be run now, it will be like 'Oh no, he's gone and we back ourselves to go again.'
"That's what I mean in terms of those getting linked. I'm like 'No you wouldn't want to sell those' but they are probably thinking, 'If you offer us enough money we will do it'. I think the club will be like that now."
Despite the fact Liverpool is set to break the bank for Wirtz, Jamie Carragher doesn't anticipate the same level of autonomy for potential incoming coach Arne Slot, contrasting his presumed title with Klopp's tenure as he stated: "Arne Slot is called the head coach. He's the first head coach in Liverpool history.
"Even though he has won the league in his first season, I don't think they're going to allow what happened with Jurgen Klopp, where he was making these bigger decisions and he was a god and everyone loves him. I think there could be a few surprises who may go if Liverpool get offered the right money."