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
Carragher suggested 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.’
