Jamie Carragher DENIES Steven Gerrard missed a penalty to get Roy Hodgson the sack at Liverpool

Jamie Carragher has adamantly denied Steven Gerrard purposely missed a penalty to get Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson sacked.

Hodgson endured an ill-fated six-month spell as Reds boss, winning just 13 of his 31 games in charge.

The Englishman was dismissed in January 2011 with Liverpool four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone and having also endured an embarrassing League Cup exit to League Two side Northampton Town.

Carragher, Gerrard and Hodgson (L-R) talk during a Reds training session at Melwood in 2010

Hodgson endured an ill-fated six-month spell at Anfield before he was sacked in January 2011

His final game was a 3-1 defeat by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, and Liverpool were awarded a penalty during the game.

However, Gerrard, the Reds talisman and a player who had such an impressive record from the spot, blasted his effort miles over the bar – leading to accusations and conspiracy theories among Liverpool fans that their skipper had missed on purpose in order to ensure Hodgson was sacked.

Carragher, when speaking to The Diary of a CEO podcast, vehemently denied these allegations, insisting this was not at all the case.

Carragher was speaking to The Diary of a CEO and reflected on Hodgson’s stint as Reds boss

He said: ‘No. That is not true,’ before adding ‘No (it was) nothing like that. I felt sorry for him.’

Hodgson had arrived at Anfield after a hugely impressive three-year spell with Fulham where he had taken them from Premier League strugglers to Europa League finalists.

The veteran manager was highly regarded having managed teams such as Inter Milan, Switzerland and Udinese during a distinguished career in the dugout.

However, it never worked out at Anfield and Carragher insisted he was just the wrong appointment for the Reds.

Carragher (L) said Hodgson (R) was too defensive at Liverpool and didn’t understand the club

He said: ‘Roy had a tough time at the club. He just wasn’t the right manager for the club and they moved him on for about six months.

‘He just didn’t get the club, he didn’t say the right things in the press. He was too defensive for Liverpool. Not just for Liverpool but any top club.

Carragher continued: ‘He had success in his career playing that way and he wasn’t going to change that when he was in his sixties – it was just the wrong appointment.’ 

Hodgson went on to manage West Brom, England, Crystal Palace and Watford before the 75-year-old retired from management at the end of last season after the Hornets were relegated from the Premier League.