Arne Slot allowed himself a light-hearted dig at Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher in the aftermath of his side’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid.
A moment that offered a glimpse into both the mood inside the dressing room and the growing confidence around his team.
The Dutchman, typically measured during media duties, showed a more playful edge when asked by CBS Sports about the squad’s feelings toward Carragher.
It followed Liverpool’s hard-earned victory at Anfield, secured by Alexis Mac Allister’s decisive header just after the hour, and underpinned by another commanding performance from Thibaut Courtois, who averted several opportunities before the deadlock was eventually broken.
Slot’s smile widened when the subject of Carragher arose a figure who, since retiring, has become one of the most influential pundits in the English game through his work with Sky Sports.
“As a player or as a pundit?”
Slot shot back when asked whether the current squad held affection for the former defender. The studio erupted, laughter spilling across the panel before Slot added the more pointed line that had clearly been doing the rounds within his squad.
“Did you speak to one of our players because this is what our players say about Jamie, as well? [Not being a Premier League-winner].”
It was a remark delivered with a grin, but one that echoed a running joke among Liverpool players in recent seasons.
Carragher’s standing at the club and as a Champions League winner remains untouchable yet the missing Premier League medal has always been an easy target in light moments behind the scenes.
This latest exchange came shortly after Dominik Szoboszlai was asked the same question during his own appearance alongside Carragher on the CBS panel.
The Hungarian kept his answer diplomatic, prompting Carragher to chuckle before saying,
“Eh, that surprised you.”
The timing could hardly have been more fitting, given the wider backdrop of Virgil van Dijk’s ongoing, highly public back-and-forth with Wayne Rooney a playful rivalry that had dominated headlines in the 48 hours before kick-off.
Carragher, for his part, has never shied away from offering forthright assessments of Liverpool’s performances. His analysis is regularly well-received within the fanbase, though he has not been immune from criticism inside the squad during more turbulent periods.
The Reds’ difficult spell earlier this season led to conversations being aired more bluntly than usual, particularly during Mohamed Salah’s contract stand-off last year.
At that time, Carragher’s comments branding Salah “selfish” sparked a rare public spat between the pair. It ultimately led to Andy Robertson joking about the pundit’s treatment within the dressing room:
“He’s [Carragher] been getting a bit of stick in the dressing room this week, that’s for sure.”
Slot’s quip, then, was less a one-off and more the latest chapter in a long-running, good-natured relationship between Liverpool’s current squad and one of the club’s most recognisable former players.
