‘I fear for them’ – Jamie Carragher says Liverpool can’t cope with Premier League and Arne Slot risks the sack

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will not have a leg to stand on if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, believes Jamie Carragher.

The Reds dropped down to sixth in the Premier League table and out of the Champions League spots with a defeat at Bournemouth last weekend, coupled with wins for Chelsea and Manchester United.

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They can seal their place in the last 16 of this season’s Champions League against Qarabag and they are guaranteed to reach the play-off around whatever the result on Wednesday night.

However, Carragher has major concerns Liverpool will not be in next season’s elite European competition, at least not via domestic means.

Carragher also said he’s concerned for Slot’s position as Anfield head coach should Liverpool’s Champions League fears by realised.

“I think some of the criticism and the disrespect he’s had from supporters is far too much, considering they won the league title last season,” Carragher told Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“But if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, he doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

“Liverpool as a club and support can accept they are not going to win the league or challenge this year. We accept it: not good enough, but we accept it.

“Once you start seeing what Manchester United have done in the last couple of weeks, once you start seeing Chelsea, and you see where Liverpool could finish outside the Champions League positions I really fear for them.

“Once you start fearing Champions League qualification for next season that’s when you have a completely different proposition when you are talking about the manager’s job.

“Not making the Champions League as (defending Premier League) champions, spending £450million and having the highest wage bill in the Premier League – which is the biggest determining factor normally about where you finish in the league – I think you have serious questions to ask.”

‘Liverpool not equipped for Premier League’

Carragher believes one of the main barriers to qualification via their league position is the team which has been assembled cannot cope with the demands of the Premier League.

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“The real worry I have for Liverpool in actually qualifying for the Champions League is if I think of the three big things you come up against in the Premier League, it’s set-pieces and long throws, it’s counter-attacking football for and against, and if you are a top team like Liverpool it’s coming up against low blocks – Liverpool can’t cope with any of them,” Carragher added.

“We are seeing a team not suited to the Premier League. When we see them in Europe are set-pieces and long throws as important? No. Is counter-attacking important?

It is always important, but not as much in Europe and no-one plays a low block in Europe so it suits Liverpool.

“They can beat Real Madrid, they can go away to Inter Milan and win, they can go away and win at Marseille, get into the top eight and into the knockout round.

“I don’t think this team is equipped for Premier League.”

Liverpool have put up a feeble title defence having lost four of their opening nine league games of the season.

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Although the defeat at the Vitality Stadium was their first in 14 in all competitions, Liverpool have not won a league game since December 27, a run spanning five matches.

After facing Qarabag, Liverpool entertain Champions League hopefuls Newcastle to Anfield on Saturday night.

The two-time Premier League winners then take on Manchester City at Anfield on February 8.