When Arne Slot stepped into the role of Liverpool’s head coach, he inherited a massive legacy from Jurgen Klopp.
Despite the pressure, Klopp has shown nothing but support for his successor, a sentiment that resonates deeply with Liverpool fans, given Klopp’s legendary status at the club.
Klopp has been careful not to overwhelm Slot with expectations, instead choosing to praise the Dutchman, acknowledging the challenges he has already faced during pre-season. Speaking with ESPN, Klopp revealed, “We talked a couple of times initially, and exchanged a few texts. But honestly, there’s little I could tell him that he doesn’t already know.”
Klopp continued, “At the start, I just wanted to offer positive feedback. We’re all human, and I could see how hard he was working. Pre-season is always tough, especially in a year with the Euros and Copa America. You don’t have the full team together, then suddenly you’ve got one week before the first match. It’s a tough situation, but from what I’ve seen, he’s handled it brilliantly.”
Now watching Liverpool as a fan, Klopp has been impressed by Slot’s work, particularly in pre-season and the match against Ipswich. “I loved the football he played at Feyenoord, and I’ve seen flashes of that here. The Sevilla friendly had some really good moments, and the second half of the league game was excellent. It’s clear that Slot is a top coach, and this squad is strong, so I’m confident it will all come together.”
While Klopp played a central role during his time at Anfield, he was not involved in selecting his successor. However, he was thrilled when he learned that Liverpool had chosen Slot. “I wasn’t involved in the decision, and I didn’t want to be. The club is too big and too well-run for that. My only concern was that they find a great coach, and they did just that with Slot.”
After Klopp’s final match in May, he sang Slot’s name, instantly boosting fans’ confidence in the new coach. While the early signs are promising, Klopp understands that Slot’s legacy won’t be defined by his first season alone. This year is about laying the groundwork for Liverpool’s future success.
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