Jamie Carragher reveals KEY reason Liverpool won't suffer 'drop-off' under Arne Slot
Jamie Carragher has backed Liverpool to avoid the same difficulties that Manchester United and Arsenal did following huge managerial changes now that Arne Slot has taken over from Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool face a summer of transition and uncertainty as they begin life without the legendary Klopp, with the German having been at the helm since October 2015.
He was the Premier League's longest serving manager until his departure this summer, with former Feyenoord boss Slot brought in to guide the club into a new era.
The Dutchman will take on the role of 'head coach' rather than 'manager' with Liverpool having undergone significant changes behind the scenes, but there is understandable concern among the club's fanbase that the Reds will struggle without the charismatic Klopp.
Some have pointed to the difficulties faced by Manchester United and Arsenal after long-serving managers Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger left the dugout, but former Liverpool defender Carragher is optimistic that the Reds won't suffer the same fate.
JAMIE CARRAGHER BACKS ARNE SLOT
Speaking with the Metro, Carragher backed Slot to keep things steady at Liverpool, avoiding the kind of drop-off felt by the club's rivals over the past decade.
However, while Carragher believes the 45-year-old coach will help maintain Liverpool's standards, it's the organised structure behind the scenes that gives the former Red most confidence.
"Manchester United went from first to seventh when Alex Ferguson left. Liverpool just finished third so I don’t think we are going to drop to tenth," said Carragher.
"I expect us to be competitive, as long as we have a good summer transfer window. We have people behind the scenes.
"I don’t think they had that structure at Man United when Ferguson left. It was the same with Wenger. They were old-fashioned football managers who ran everything and those days have gone.
"The reason those days are gone is because when a figure like that – or any manager in fact – moves on, you almost have to start again. I don’t think any manager wants that. I think the fact Arne Slot will be a head coach rather than a manager is pretty telling.
"I don’t see Liverpool having as big a drop-off as Man United and Arsenal. There might be a drop-off, because Jurgen Klopp is a great football manager, but I still expect Liverpool to compete for all honours including the Champions League."
Liverpool are expected to be busy in the summer transfer window as Slot attempts to shape the squad in his image, although how much say he will have in the club's recruitment remains to be seen.
The Reds are bound to face some teething problems as they move on from Klopp, but the club's stable structure should help the Reds navigate Slot's debut campaign.