Jamie Carragher 'not fooled' by Liverpool as pressure ramps up on Arne Slot

Jamie Carragher has had his say on Liverpool's season under Arne Slot, with the Reds boss under pressure to improve both results and performances across the rest of the campaign

CBS Sports pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says he isn't being "fooled" by the Reds' form in Europe, with Arne Slot's men struggling for consistency domestically this season.

While Liverpool is on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League last-16 — a win against Qarabag at Anfield will secure its position in the top eight spots — it dropped to sixth place in the Premier League by losing late on against Bournemouth on Saturday.

Slot is under pressure to turn things around and Carragher believes people shouldn't be drawn into believing what we see in the Champions League is a sign of progress. When facing English teams, physicality becomes a bigger factor and a big problem.

"When we see Premier League teams doing so well in the Champions League, I think there’s a physicality that European teams can’t cope with," Carragher told The Athletic.

"We know how important set pieces are right now in the Premier League. But I can’t say I’m getting fooled by certain clubs, namely Tottenham, Liverpool and Newcastle, doing well in Europe, because I am watching them every week and I don’t feel like I’m seeing top teams.

"There’s no doubt the bottom half of the Premier League is really strong, powerful and aggressive. The Premier League has become the Super League.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

"That whole idea was born from everybody realizing how, besides four or five other big clubs around Europe, the Premier League was the place to be.

"It’s difficult to shout that from the rooftops on the pitch, as we don’t win enough European Cups (Premier League sides have won three of the past seven Champions League titles).

"But I watched Arsenal in Inter Milan (last midweek). They did not have Declan Rice, Gabriel or Martin Odegaard, and they beat the team who are top of Serie A.

"It was comfortable. I’m not sure if I’m comfortable with it almost being as easy as it seems right now for English clubs.

"I do want to see Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus bounce back, these great European teams."

In the top eight places heading into matchday eight in the Champions League, five of the teams are from the Premier League (alongside Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG).

There are six English teams in UEFA's top competition and Manchester City, the only one outside the top eight, is well-placed to make the last-16 without the need for a play-off should it win at home to Galatasaray.