Jamie Carragher backs Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot to disrupt title race

Jamie Carragher believes new bosses Enzo Maresca and Arne Slot will challenge for big prizes, as he tipped the pair to help disrupt the Premier League title race.

Slot has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Liverpool having succeeded Jurgen Klopp, with the Reds one point clear at the top of the table after seven matches.

Liverpool will face a major test on Sunday when they host Chelsea at Anfield.

The visitors have shown improvement under Maresca following a turbulent couple of years, with the Italian leading his side to fourth in the early season table.

Liverpool legend Carragher, writing in his Telegraph column, believes Sunday’s match could be the first in a new rivalry between the two teams. 

Arne Slot has led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League ahead of their match with Chelsea

Maresca has enjoyed an impressive start at Chelsea after the the clubs recent turbulence

Liverpool will host Chelsea on Sunday in a crunch match at the top of the table

Carragher suggested the respective managers have the potential to push their teams into the frame for the title, disrupting the battles between Man City and Arsenal in recent seasons. 

He cited the animosity between the two sides under previous managers, including Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho, as well as battles in the transfer market.

Carragher claimed the rivalry could be stoked again under Slot and Maresca, as both bosses seek to challenge for major honours.

‘Maresca and Slot are part of a new generation of more analytical than emotional managers, but this fixture has always had the potential to explode,’ Carragher wrote.

‘If the hostility gets back to what it was, it will be good news for the clubs and the Premier League.

‘Liverpool versus Chelsea has the potential to ensure Pep Guardiola vs Mikel Arteta does not monopolise the next few years at the Premier League summit.

‘There is much work to be done by Maresca and Slot to get that far, but I have a sneaking feeling that Sunday is the first of many duels between coaches who, in time, will be going head-to-head for the biggest prizes.’

Jamie Carragher has tipped both bosses to be battling head-to-head for major honours

He suggested Chelsea and Liverpool have the potential to emerge as a new threat to Man City

Arsenal have been the main threat to Man City in the Premier League for the last two seasons

Slot’s early Premier League pace setters have won six of their opening seven matches, with the only blemish a surprise home defeat to Nottingham Forest

Reigning champions Man City are currently one point behind Slot’s side after seven matches, level on points with Arsenal.

Arsenal have proved the closest challengers to Man City, finishing as runners-up in the last two seasons under Mikel Arteta.

Maresca’s Chelsea side complete the current Premier League top four, with the Blues just four points behind Liverpool as they travel to Anfield on Sunday.