Liverpool’s pursuit for Jürgen Klopp’s successor appears to have finally come to an end, three months after the German announced his nine-year tenure would come to an end at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
A plethora of names have been floated around, including Xabi Alonso and Rúben Amorim, but the Reds have finally got their man – and it’s Feyenoord’s Arne Slot that will be taking the reigns at Anfield next season.
With Xabi Alonso ruling himself out of contention due to his desire to remain with Bayer Leverkusen, and Amorim’s preferred three-at-the-back style not suiting the current Liverpool squad, Arne Slot has been highlighted as the ideal candidate.
Embed from Getty ImagesAccording to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have agreed a compensation package that will see Feyenoord receive a figure in the region of €15m for the Dutchman, who ended a spell of Ajax dominance in the Netherlands last season.
Speaking after Feyenoord’s clash with Go Ahead Eagles, Slot suggested that ‘everybody understands Feyenoord will want to receive as much money as they can get, but I get the feeling that they will not begrudge me this move,’ adding that ‘I expect that things will become clearer over the next few days.’
Now that the rumour mill has begun to die down, FromTheSpot takes a look at just why Arne Slot has emerged as Jürgen Klopp’s successor, and what Liverpool fans can expect to see from their side under the 45-year-old’s guidance.
Slot’s desire to manage in the Premier League has been one of the worst-kept secrets in European football. After guiding Feyenoord to their first league title in six years, the Dutchman openly expressed his interest in the vacant managerial position at Tottenham Hotspur – though he was beaten to that by Ange Postecoglou.
An extra year in his native Netherlands has allowed Slot to add another accolade to his trophy, with Feyenoord edging past NEC Nijmegen last weekend in the KNVB Cup final at De Kuip. His aggressive playing style is reportedly one of the key factors that has driven Liverpool’s interest.
Embed from Getty ImagesUnlike Amorim’s preferred three-at-the-back systems, Slot favours a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 – which arguably suits Liverpool’s current squad and wouldn’t require all too much alteration from Klopp’s current setup.
Feyenoord’s statistics are also remarkably similar to Liverpool’s this season, with both clubs boasting an average possession percentage of around 60%. Additionally, Feyenoord top the table for the most tackles won in the final third across Europe’s top five leagues – the only team to record more than Klopp’s Liverpool.
Many fans have criticised Fenway Sports Group in recent years for their perceived underspending in the transfer market. Slot is used to working with limited funds though, and has a track record at Feyenoord – and AZ Alkmaar before that – of developing players and nurturing youth talent.
Liverpool have a clear desire not to force too much of an upheaval this summer, and it appears that Arne Slot may be the perfect man to keep the club’s philosophy alive as they make their way into the post-Klopp era.
