ARNE SLOT says he is unphased at the prospect of filling Jurgen Klopp’s boots because he will be kicking the ball the same way as his predecessor.
Klopp won the hearts of the Liverpool faithful not only with trophies but an all action style of player that had Anfield throbbing.
And new boss Slot is promising to do the same thing.
Slot said: “It was special what Jurgen Klopp did at this club and what made him special was the impression he left behind, winning trophies and his playing style.
“The fans loved it. What he did for the club was more than normal.
“Jurgen got to know the city and the style the fans like.
“One of the reasons they came to me was because of my playing style which is not that much different, a lot of energy and good football.
“You can look at it as big shoes to fill but it is important to have a squad with a winning culture.
“I do feel like I have a really good team, a really good squad. As a manager you want to work at a club with good players and the possibility to win things.
“I look at it as an ideal opportunity to win something.”
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Slot was appointed back on June 1st as successor to Klopp who bid an emotional farewell to Anfield last season.
They sang his name as he said goodbye but in turn the German got the crowd to start singing the new manager’s name to send a message that he was going to be very welcome, something Slot appreciated.
He said: “I was very fortunate at Feyenoord that after a few years they started singing for me.
“Now, without even winning a game the Liverpool fans are singing for me and that is a good start.”
They sang Klopp’s name for good reason.
In is nine years at the club his most noticeable triumphs came with the 2018-19 Champions League and 2019-20 Premier League.
Slot had been in charge of Feyenoord since 2021 winning the Eredivisie in 2022-23 when he was also named Holland’s manager of the year for the second successive season.
Last season he finished second in the league but won the Dutch Cup.
Like Klopp he wants his team to play in a free flowing, front foot, attacking style with the ball, but immediately press to win it back when they are without it.
Slot said: “I hope people see my team at Feyenooord and will say that they played with a lot of freedom.
“But when we don’t have the ball we want to be really aggressive and people keep in their position.
“If you ask me I would say we played in a 4-3-3.”
He admits Liverpool was one of the few places he would have left the Dutch giants for.
But the 45-year-old said Liverpool came for him not just because of his record of silverware but also because of how he did it.
He said: “I worked at a special club in Feyenoord. I would not leave that club for many clubs.
“But when Liverpool come along that is one I would leave Feyenoord for.
“Also when they have reasons why they wanted to take you, because they like your style of play.”
By Dan King
LIVERPOOL’S new manager Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.
