Jamie Carragher Reveals Arne Slot Man Utd Worry; What Do Odds Tell Us?

Jamie Carragher has drawn some worrying parallels with Arne Slot’s situation at Liverpool to the one where Erik ten Hag was at Manchester United, arguing that lessons must be heeded. Slot has come under increasing pressure following the Reds’ dismal form, in which their title defence collapsed spectacularly.

Liverpool will finish the season trophyless, and speculation has been mounting over whether Slot will be given a chance to turn things around. And Carragher reckons Slot’s future isn’t as divisive an issue now among the fans as it was perhaps earlier in the campaign.

Are Liverpool sticking their necks out?

Given the short shelf life of a Premier League manager, knee-jerk reactions are common. Although Liverpool remain on course for Champions League qualification, Carragher is already envisaging disturbing signs, comparing it to Ten Hag’s demise at Manchester United.

After signing a new contract with the Red Devils in July 2024, Ten Hag, who steered United to an FA Cup triumph over Manchester City the previous campaign at Wembley, was sacked three months later. A 2-1 defeat against West Ham left United 14th in the table, and Carragher suggested Liverpool could be taking a big gamble keeping on Slot.

Discussing Slot’s future, Carragher said: “I don’t even think it’s a 50/50 split now. And I know people outside of the club can’t get their heads around that, thinking: ‘This guy won the league, it looks like he’s going to get you Champions League football in his second season’.

“My worry with Liverpool and Slot is are we going to be in a situation where, a little bit like Ten Hag, where he had a great first season, didn’t win the league. Slot won the league, but the second season was really poor. Then you keep the manager on the back of what he did in the first season, and then it carries on poorly. Then you get into October, and you think: ‘We’ve got to change the manager’.”

Odds present a revealing picture

Although there haven’t been any distinct noises coming out from Anfield over Slot’s future, that hasn’t stopped the UK’s most prominent betting sites from having their say. Indeed, former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who was axed by Real Madrid in January, has been installed as the 6/4 favourite to succeed Slot.

Intriguingly, Alonso has also been heavily linked with the vacant Chelsea post, and the bookies have slashed his odds from 25/1 to 7/4. Among the other contenders mooted are PSG coach Luis Enrique and Andoni Iraola, who will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season, both trading around the 4/1 mark.

Making a defiant stand

Slot, who is preparing his charges for a Premier League clash away to Aston Villa this evening, has been accustomed to success during his managerial career. One criticism, however, levelled against the Dutchman was Liverpool’s transfer splurge last summer, where over £400 million was laid out on reinforcements, including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, but it didn’t yield the desired results.

Nevertheless, Slot is convinced he will still be on Merseyside next term, suggesting he has been involved in discussions over potential summer signings.

He said: “First of all, I am contracted to this club and second, from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it. We know where we will go on tour, so our plans have been made, and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that.”