Liverpool players have plenty to digest as Jurgen Klopp prepares to call time on his nine-year stay at Anfield. For the vast majority, Klopp is the only Reds manager they have ever worked under, but Arne Slot looks set to be the next after Feyenoord reached an agreement with the Premier League side over a compensation fee.
Joe Gomez is the only member of Liverpool’s squad to have arrived before Klopp’s appointment in 2015. This summer will therefore be one of significant change on Merseyside, led by recently appointed CEO of Football Michael Edwards and fellow newcomer, sporting director Richard Hughes.
Their search for Klopp’s successor looks to be way ahead of schedule, with Slot now widely expected to be in charge and Feyenoord set to receive a compensation fee rising to £9.4million if add-ons are triggered.
Despite pondering the daunting prospect of Klopp – a towering figure at Anfield – stepping down to take a break from football management, The Daily Mail claim that Liverpool players are ‘delighted’ with the decision to hire Slot as his successor.
The Dutchman has built a stellar reputation in the Eredivisie, where he led Feyenoord to the league title last season and the KNVB Cup last weekend – all while employing an exciting, aggressive style of play.
Players are expected to be asked about the prospect of Slot leading the dressing room before and after the West Ham game on Saturday. But the report adds that they are ‘fully focused’ on finishing the Klopp era as strongly as possible.
Prospects of sending the German on his way with a second Premier League title under his belt were dashed by a 2-0 defeat at local rivals Everton on Wednesday night. Klopp appeared devastated during his post-match media duties and now needs a miracle to pass Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Gunners, who have the best goal difference of the three, lead Liverpool by three points with only four matches to play, although Mikel Arteta’s men face a north London derby clash with Tottenham on Sunday, which is their toughest game of the run-in.
City are two points ahead of Liverpool and one behind Arsenal with a game in hand on both after Thursday night’s thumping win at Brighton. Pep Guardiola’s side are now the favourites to win a fourth league title in a row.
With Guardiola and Arteta set to remain at City and Arsenal for some time yet, Slot could be given a baptism of fire if he takes the reins on Merseyside. The 45-year-old has only ever managed in the Netherlands, with his stint at Feyenoord preceded by spells at Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar.
