Jamie Carragher worried about huge Liverpool game and gives Arne Slot verdict

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher spoke at Aintree's Grand National Ladies Day about Arne Slot's future and the Merseyside Derby, with the Reds taking on Fulham on Saturday

Jamie Carragher is worried about the Merseyside Derby(Image: Getty Images)

Jamie Carragher has delivered his assessment of Arne Slot's future at Liverpool ahead of the Merseyside Derby.

The Liverpool ECHO caught up with the Reds legend on the second day of this year's Grand National festival at Aintree. Despite clinching the Premier League title last season, the Reds head coach has faced mounting scrutiny from Liverpool supporters following a series of disappointing displays this campaign, leaving the club embroiled in a battle to secure Champions League qualification.

Slot's players were unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup last weekend in a humiliating 4-0 thrashing at Manchester City. That was compounded by a comfortable 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal away at Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool returns to Premier League action on Saturday at Anfield against Fulham, before the second leg against PSG next Tuesday and the Merseyside Derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. Slot declared he has the "complete support" of the Liverpool hierarchy.

When the ECHO approached Carragher at Ladies Day and asked whether this represented the most pivotal week of his Liverpool tenure to date, the former LFC vice-captain responded: "Yes, from a Liverpool supporter's point of view. That's the way we look at it.

"Whether that's the way the ownership looks at that or not, I don't know. Obviously, you read media reports and you read between the lines, and it doesn't seem that's the case right now.

"But Liverpool have got some big games between now and the end of the season in the league. I think of Everton away, and I think of Man United away. And if they don't go well, obviously, that heaps the pressure on him.

"But listen, I don't really like saying that. He's a manager who's won the league (for) Liverpool, so I love him for that and I always will do, but it's high stakes, isn't it?

"And Liverpool have been a long way off where everybody expects to be this season. We know there's reasons for that as well. But the drop off has been startling and really no-one expected that."

Carragher confessed he has little appetite for the prospect of this Liverpool side facing PSG once more, alongside a resurgent Everton next week. The Toffees are pushing for European qualification and take on fellow contenders Brentford on Saturday.

When pressed on whether he was looking forward to the first derby at Everton's new ground, he responded: "Not at the moment, no. But listen, I think most Liverpudlians want the season to end really and just make sure we're in the Champions League for next season.

"There was a little bit of hope with maybe the cup competitions, but they look a little bit long gone. But you never know if they'll get an early goal at Anfield against PSG. They're a brilliant team and they've shown that against Liverpool the last couple of years.

"Everton, what they've done this season... Brentford are in a similar position as they are, knocking on the door of the Champions League in European places, so it'd be interesting what happens there tomorrow.

"That's a big game, but if Everton were to win that and then go into the derby... who knows (what could happen)."