Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes that a good performance from Mesut Ozil against the Reds in the Carabao Cup will not be enough to put his Arsenal career back on track.
The World Cup winner was named in the starting line-up for Arsenal's Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at Anfield, making his return after a long outcast from Unai Emery.
Arsenal fans have made it clear in recent matches that they want to see more of the former Real Madrid star but Emery has been unmoved as of yet in the Premier League, instead utilising other options.
While some may believe that Ozil could play his way back into the side with a good performance against Jurgen Klopp's side this evening, Carragher is not convinced that will happen.
“I don’t think so, I don’t think the manager rates him. Maybe that’s the wrong word but he just doesn’t like him and certain bits about his game,” he told Sky Sports.
“Unai Emery has been at the club now for 18 months and Mesut Ozil, technically, is probably the best player in the squad but there is no place for him in the team.
“I don’t think him being in the team tonight and potentially lighting up Anfield will necessarily put him straight back in the 11, although it will probably but him closer.
“He should come up here tonight and light up Anfield when you consider the two teams. He’s a World Cup winner, by far the most famous player on show so it should be a game where he can excel.
“But I don’t think his performance tonight will affect where his Arsenal career is heading.”
