Jamie Carragher has suggested Liverpool should look to appoint a former Premier League boss instead of Arne Slot.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that the Reds had made Feyenoord boss Slot their No 1 target to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, and they approached the Eredivisie club on Wednesday over a potential deal.
Slot himself seemed to put the wheels further in motion when he revealed on Thursday that he would like to take the job, saying: 'It is no secret that I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I am waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. I have every confidence in that.'
It's now down to the two clubs to do just that, with it looking more likely by the day that the 45-year-old will be the Reds' next manager and a deal could be done by the weekend.
Writing in The Telegraph, however, Carragher revealed his reservations. Having been a big admirer of Klopp, the former Liverpool defender-turned pundit admitted it will be hard for Slot to fill the German's shoes - and suggested an ex-Premier League manager to replace him instead.
'The bad news is the man most capable of overseeing the next step for this Liverpool team is leaving,' Carragher wrote of Klopp. 'If Klopp was in charge next season, Liverpool would move forward and challenge again at home and in Europe. With Slot, that absolute belief will give way to hope.
'That's not intended in any way as a criticism of the incoming Dutchman. Once Klopp announced he was going and Xabi Alonso ruled himself out, Liverpool's options were limited. No matter how brilliant Slot is – and no-one wins a league title or leads a side to a European final without serious credentials – the next coach was always going to be highly regarded, but not one to necessarily get pulses racing.
'There is no-one available to replicate Klopp's aura, authority and natural connection with the supporters – that "X-factor" which is so elusive. Since the Slot news broke, I have heard and read many perspectives suggesting that the choice makes sense tactically and how the data regarding Feynoord's style makes him a natural fit.
'I would have given more thorough consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel who took on and beat Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test - a Champions League final. Tuchel followed Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and did well. It has not worked out at Bayern Munich this season, but you only have to look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to recognise how top coaches recover from setbacks.
'Slot is an appointment made with the head rather than the heart. Klopp's appeal was to the head and heart.'
Liverpool's season had the potential to be a great final farewell tour for Klopp, who has lifted both the Champions League and Premier League during his time at the Anfield club.
There were hopes of winning a Quadruple that were soon dashed following FA Cup and Europa League losses to Manchester United and Atalanta, and the Premier League title now seems out of reach on the back of back-to-back defeats versus Crystal Palace and Everton.
Carragher was critical of his former side's run in, suggesting that they never had 'the quality' to win the league, which will now likely be won by either Arsenal or defending champions Manchester City.
'The quality of champions has never been there,' he wrote. 'Too many flaws to sustain a challenge which, in truth, has gone on longer than anticipated.
'Klopp's successor has plenty to improve after a season which has ultimately promised more than it delivered. No coach arriving at Anfield should consider it an unattainable challenge to make his first year at Liverpool better than Klopp's last.'
Zuwabesz
0
l would have gone on Hansi Frick
fooabckmty
0
people be talking like klopp was first in EPL before he joined LFC. forgetful bunch!!! klopp came to England from his first major gig, which was BVB and he delivered if u all had a brain and some conscience after seeing klopp we have no reason to doubt a coach being gotten on the bases of our famed analytical scouters prowess even if the coach comes from Asia. TT has been around and no club he has been at has had a pleasant coach fans relationship with the guy not even so with the entire players...u don't know how key that is...go ask Leverkusen
fooabckmty
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TT has again and again be tossed around by diff clubs and u think that doesn't affect mentality...no way I want that man with an inferiority complex at LFC. and u should not want same if u love LFC....Whatever happened to the talk around Ruben Amorim
fooabckmty
0
Tuchel career is following around great coaches riding on their successful teams for a couple years then going to the next. He hasn't come in and taken a so-so or decent team and made them great. he takes great teams and makes them So -So
so so true
Yacaikptyz
1
Tuchel career is following around great coaches riding on their successful teams for a couple years then going to the next. He hasn't come in and taken a so-so or decent team and made them great. he takes great teams and makes them So -So
posackmnz
1
First time am agreeing with Caragher Liverpool needs an experienced coach and that have well knowledge of the EPL . TT with right players at Liverpool can compete with City forget about his down time at Munich all coaches have their down time and also depending on players at your proposal . Slot is gonna be like Ten hang
Thomas Tuchel is the right man for Liverpool
kosaclmru
0
what a good suggestion, he was doing well back in the day in EPL+ UCL
hahelnprt
1
Thomas tuchel would be perfect
hahelnprt
0
yes right words
Show24real
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Stop saying nonsense instead support and encourage him do u think caragher is okay with his words
Meaning ?? Coz be like say na u dey reply with nonsense
Nizwest
0
Tuchel is my preferred choice as well
Nikklause
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I agree with Carra, Infact Unai Emery would be perfect with good players at his disposal as he is tactition. SLOT will suffer like Ten Haag as the EPL is a different beast altogether.
That's your believe not others
Nikklause
0
slot who be worse than ETHG believe me,as a Liv fan we don't need him anymore
I'm sure u are not a Liverpool fan criticizing coach like a man u fan total nonsense
Nikklause
0
First time am agreeing with Caragher Liverpool needs an experienced coach and that have well knowledge of the EPL . TT with right players at Liverpool can compete with City forget about his down time at Munich all coaches have their down time and also depending on players at your proposal . Slot is gonna be like Ten hang
Stop saying nonsense instead support and encourage him do u think caragher is okay with his words
Show24real
2
First time am agreeing with Caragher Liverpool needs an experienced coach and that have well knowledge of the EPL . TT with right players at Liverpool can compete with City forget about his down time at Munich all coaches have their down time and also depending on players at your proposal . Slot is gonna be like Ten hang
Kraz3_1van
1
Hmmm... Jose Mourinho...
miadilmopy
0
Jamie Carragher you talk 👄 too much are the only person that plays Liverpool this what all dose guys 👦 that plays in Manchester United that's how they're talking bring more problems in the club Jamie Carragher is not people's like you're coaching club you sitting talking about players and coach respect yourself you talk too much
Wuabdluyz
1
slot who be worse than ETHG believe me,as a Liv fan we don't need him anymore
Kunlespur2
1
Hmm…as a United fan Carragher just made a reasonable point all this while.
vusikrs
0
It’s the best analysis he has made since I have known Carra and it’s the truth
taucdkntyz
0
Well whoever who comes in eventually be it Slot Zerbi Tuchel Amorim or even Maurinho the shoes to fill in for the departing Klopp will be massive indeed in aspects frm the style of play motivation to existing players giving hope to star players the appetite for success again & pulling in more star players & names to the club to challenge for the EPL title again plus to do well in other competitions as well & to uphold the image of the club as one of the best & biggest in the world... YNWA
allwynfedes
2
I agree with Carra, Infact Unai Emery would be perfect with good players at his disposal as he is tactition. SLOT will suffer like Ten Haag as the EPL is a different beast altogether.
Jipaeklmp
3
someone should tell caragher to shut up he is not the owner of Liverpool.