Jamie Carragher issues lofty demand to Arne Slot as 'only way' to save Liverpool's season

Virgil van Dijk has insisted it could still be a 'special' season for Liverpool, although Jamie Carragher believes there is only way Arne Slot's side could claim that

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool needs to win the Champions League for it to be a 'special season'(Image: Sky Sports)

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool winning the Champions League is the only way the Reds’ season can be considered to have been “special”.

The former defender was responding to Virgil van Dijk’s recent comments after the Liverpool captain insisted his side could still make it a season to remember, despite its hopes of defending its title already long gone, and a top four finish still looking a long way off.

“I want to play Champions League football but everyone else wants to play that as well, so we're working very hard to make sure that we do that, but I still feel that this season could still be special,” Van Dijk said in an interview with Gary Neville.

“We're in the Champions League, we're in FA Cup still, obviously a big game against Brighton next week and the Champions League, we’ll see what happens, but I feel that this season could be special.”

Carragher though has piled the pressure on his former side, insisting that the only way Van Dijk’s prediction could come true is if Liverpool goes on to win the Champions League.

The Reds have reached the last-16 of the competition, and have looked more comfortable in Europe this season, with Carragher doubling down on his view that Arne Slot’s side is not set up for the Premier League.

Virgil van Dijk has insisted it could still be a 'special' season for Liverpool(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“I think the only way this becomes a special season is if Liverpool win the Champions League,” Carragher told Sky Sports. “I don’t think winning the FA Cup is enough for a team that won the title the season before and then spent £450 million on players.

“But Liverpool look a lot better in the Champions League than they do in the Premier League, because the team is not fully equipped to go and win the Premier League right now.

“They can’t handle the physicality that comes with the Premier League, but in the Champions League it’s a different beast, and once you get into the knockout stage, you get Anfield roaring, on the front foot, Liverpool have a really good chance in the Champions League.”

Carragher was speaking ahead of another crucial game for the Reds, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City visiting Anfield.

Liverpool goes into the game five points off the Premier League’s top four after wins for both Manchester United and Chelsea on Saturday. Although a top-five finish might be enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season, the Reds can’t afford to leave that down to chance.