“You can’t deny it as a Liverpool supporter”

Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion on ex-teammate Xabi Alonso becoming the new Chelsea manager. The Spaniard, who parted ways with Real Madrid in January, has entered talks with Chelsea, as per The Athletic.

Although the talks are at an initial stage, the Blues have reportedly identified Alonso as one of their top candidates to become permanent manager at Stamford Bridge.

While there were reports linking Alonso to the Liverpool job, it has been claimed that the Reds are not considering replacing Arne Slot this summer. The Reds’ decision coupled with interest from Chelsea has prompted Carragher to respond on the situation.

The former Liverpool defender admitted that Alonso must do what’s best for his managerial career. However, he also added that several of the club’s supporters will feel disheartened if he does not replace Slot at Anfield this summer.

Carragher told Sky Sports:

“He has to do what’s best for him. There will be Liverpool supporters looking at that situation and thinking, ‘ugh, that’s the one we want.’ You can’t deny it as a Liverpool supporter. I don’t think it’s even a 50-50 split now on Arne Slot.

“I know people outside the club can’t get their head around it because this guy won the league (last season) and it looks like he’s going to get Champions League football next season.”

Carragher pointed to the drop off in results and performances under Slot this season as the main reason for the concern from the fans. He went on to claim that the fact that Chelsea are in talks with Alonso is proof that the Merseyside giants have decided to continue with Slot.

Carragher is of the opinion that if the Reds were interested, Alonso would not even consider joining Chelsea. He explained:

“But the drop off has been so stark. And there has been no improvement since day of this season in results or in performances.”

“That is probably a bit of the fear with supporters. There will be a feeling among a lot of the supporters that Xabi Alonso is there and if we want him, he will come to us because of his history with the club. But it looks like the club have made their decision on Slot (to continue).

“The fact that there’s talks going on between Chelsea and Xabi tells you that Liverpool have decided to continue with Slot. If there was an inclination of us wanting him, I think he would go to Liverpool.”

Liverpool and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday. The Reds are expected to qualify for the Champions League and are fourth with 59 points. The same can’t be said for the Blues, who are ninth in the Premier League table.

Alonso would be great coup for Chelsea: Carragher on ex-Liverpool teammate

As much as he expected Alonso to become manager at Anfield at some point, Carragher thinks his ex-teammate would be a great fit at Stamford Bridge. He claimed that Real Madrid made a mistake by letting Alonso go.

Carragher also added that he does not want to use his personal relationship with Alonso to pester him about what’s happening behind the scenes in terms of where he’s headed next. However, he reiterated that he would love to see Alonso as manager on Merseyside some day.

Carragher stated:

“I think they made a mistake by getting rid of him. It would be a great coup for Chelsea. Maybe I’m kidding myself, obviously I got a good relationship with Xabi, but when players like him or Stevie (Gerrard) go into management, I almost step back a little bit, I don’t want to be the guy who is always asking questions to try and find out what’s happening.