Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool chief Michael Edwards have 'obviously fallen out', believes Jamie Carragher - as he gives his opinion on managerial target Arne Slot's expected arrival

Jamie Carragher believes there is a rift between outgoing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and chief Michael Edwards - citing the return of the latter is because of the German's imminent departure.

Last month, it was announced that Edwards was back at the club after leaving the Merseyside outfit two years ago.

Club owners FSG asked Edwards back to help head up a restructure following in the wake of Klopp's announcement in January that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

Edwards spent 10 years at Liverpool from 2012 and has been lauded as one of the most influential figures alongside Klopp in the club's recent glory decade.

He played a key role in the signings of the likes of Mohamed Salah, Alisson and Virgil van Dijk.

However, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher is of the opinion that is no coincidence that Edwards has come back to the club in light of Klopp's future.

'What's really interesting here is Michael Edwards, the sporting director, was there at the start with Klopp but they've obviously fallen out for whatever reason and a lot of his team have moved on,' he said.

'As soon as Klopp's gone it's like the band are back together. It's obvious something has happened behind the scenes. 

'The owners FSG felt it was more important to get that structure back rather than who the next manager is.

'There is no way Michael Edwards is coming back and not having all the power to run this club. He's not even in the same role, he's in a bigger role as they're going to try and buy other clubs. 

'My worry going forward is that the manager, whoever they bring in will just be a coach.'

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is the frontrunner to succeed Klopp. As detailed by Mail Sport on Wednesday, Anfield officials have contacted the Dutch champions with a first offer of compensation for the 49-year-old, who does not have a release clause in his contract.

It is expected a fee of more than £10million will be required to land Slot, who will look to bring a number of his staff with him including assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

The situation is developing quickly and talks to bring Slot to Anfield could even be concluded before the weekend.

However, when talking about that potential appointment Carragher raised his concerns - fearing Slot won't have the gravitas among supporters compared to other candidates such as Xabi Alonso or predecessors like Klopp, Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier. 

Asked by Roy Keane if he thinks that would be an exciting appointment, Carragher bluntly said 'no' before explaining why.

'I would imagine Xabi Alonso was right at the top of the list because of what he's done at Bayer Leverkusen but also because of the connection [with fans]. That's a big thing and it's a little bit worrying for me as a Liverpool fan. 

'I think when Liverpool have done well in the Premier League era - Houllier had a good spell of winning trophies over two-three years, Rafa was the same and Klopp has done that - there was this real connection with the fans and then Anfield gets going and you feel like you're moving somewhere. 

'I think Liverpool is different to almost any club in that the manager is always the God. The manager is so important. 

'It feels like it [Arne] is an appointment you'd make if you were trying to get back in the top four. Liverpool are among the top five or six teams in Europe and have been for a few years. 

'You think of a guy, as a Liverpool supporter, standing on the sideline who can go up against Pep Guardiola. Thomas Tuchel has beaten him and got something about him. 

'Don't ever forget how big the connection has got to be with a Liverpool supporter and we just haven't got a coach who is a "yes" man behind the scenes.'

Slot, who was considered by both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, has found immense success since joining the Dutch side in 2021 and has become one of the most progressive coaches in European football.

He recently guided his side Feyenoord to victory in the KNVB Cup; the second trophy he has won in charge of the Rotterdam giants, having made them domestic champions 12 months ago. 

His accolades at the Dutch side have made him an ideal candidate to succeed Klopp at Anfield and the Reds have now stepped up their pursuit of the 45-year-old.

It should also be noted that Slot’s planned press conference to preview Feyenoord’s game against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night has been cancelled. No official reason was given.

Initial reports suggested that the Reds were considering a move for Alonso, who has done such outstanding work with Bayer Leverkusen.

But Alonso wanted to stay in Germany and that led to Ruben Amorim assuming bookmakers favouritism. 

The Portuguese, who has £12million release clause in his contract, spoke recently about not being able to give Sporting Lisbon any guarantees on his future.

Liverpool had given him firm consideration, as they have done with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, but they are now prepared to move in a different direction from Amorim, who is a target for West Ham United, as Mail Sport reported on Monday.

Jamie Carragher was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.