Liverpool FC are facing year one after Jürgen Klopp. Arne Slot is the new strong man at Anfield – and the Dutchman has now spoken about his new role for the first time
“I’m looking forward to a fresh start after a great time at Feyenoord,” said Slot in an interview published by LFC itself. The 45-year-old revealed that planning for the coming season has long been underway and that he has been in constant contact with sporting director Richard Hughes despite being on vacation “to make sure the team will be ready”.
Slot also praised his predecessor Klopp, who had left him “a very good team”. He had also spoken to the 57-year-old German himself – and for good reason, as the Dutchman explained. “When someone has worked at a club for nine years and has been so successful, you want to know everything about them. “
He also got information about the players from his predecessor, Slot revealed. “He gave me more than a few good tips.” But what he was most pleased about was how Klopp reacted to him personally. “I noticed that he was very happy for me. I also think he said that he will be my biggest fan from now on – because he supports Liverpool in the best possible way. “
Parallels to Klopp
Slot knows only too well that his style of play has a lot in common with Klopp’s. This was probably “one of the reasons” why he was considered as a candidate by the Reds. Although LFC were not looking for a copy of Klopp, they were still looking for someone who could continue his style of play – it is only logical that “if a certain style of play has been successful, you want to expand or continue it”.
“That’s probably one of the reasons why they came to me,” Slot speculated, while also emphasizing that his style of play is not unique, but rather a “style of many modern coaches. We were all a bit inspired by the rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool. We were all inspired by Pep Guardiola and Klopp and I think in a big club that’s probably the only style you can play: a lot of possession and a lot of energy. “
