Arne Slot is the man Liverpool look keen to have as their successor to Jurgen Klopp. In an Essential Questions special, we look at how he fits in and why he's their man.

Slot has emerged as the clear favourite to succeed Klopp in the hot seat on Merseyside, when he steps back after nearly nine years in charge this summer.

The Dutchman has an impressive CV in his home country - but how well will that translate in England? Why is he similar - and why is he different - from Erik ten Hag? And what has put him top of Liverpool's always carefully planned recruitment list?

Sky Sports journalists Ron Walker and Adam Bate are joined by Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy to answer all that - as well as the problems Liverpool have in the more immediate future following the Merseyside derby defeat at Everton on Wednesday.

Listen in full below and subscribe today to make sure you don’t miss an episode of the podcast.

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Arne Slot has emerged as the preferred candidate to replace the departing Jurgen Klopp as the next Liverpool manager but who is the man that the club believe can lead them into this new era and what can they expect from this 45-year-old Dutch coach?

In conversation with those who coached Slot and those who have been coached by him, as well as colleagues on his staff, we examine the making of Liverpool's next manager, exploring his tactical ideas, his man-management and his handling of the media.

'He was just absorbing everything'

'Lazy' is a word that occasionally comes up when discussing Slot as a player. More often it is slow. A languid No 10, there would have been no place for him in Slot's pressing game. "He was not the quickest but he had a great touch," Rob McDonald tells Sky Sports.

A former striker with Newcastle and PSV, McDonald was the assistant coach at FC Zwolle, Slot's boyhood club. He recently ran into Slot at a game between Feyenoord and Groningen, leading to a brief reunion following a double-take from Slot, a teenager no more.

"He could play," adds McDonald. "He was always one of these who looked around, a bit like [Paul] Gascoigne, and a bit like a couple of the other top players who had that ability to just keep a good straight body and have a good look around."

Image: Arne Slot pictured playing for PEC Zwolle against Feyenoord in 2013

McDonald now recruits Dutch coaches for roles around the world but admits he did not necessarily anticipate Slot's coaching career. "I think he was just absorbing everything if I look back in hindsight." That curiosity for coaching came later in his playing days.

When Slot returned to Zwolle later in his career, then known as PEC Zwolle, he had become a leader on the field, asking questions, and demanding to understand the tactics. He joined the staff at the club before beginning that coaching journey in earnest at Cambuur.

'Hours watching videos'

It was at Cambuur, under Henk de Jong, and, in particular, Marcel Keizer, a future Ajax coach, that Slot's ideas about how football should be played began to crystallise. He would exchange thoughts with Keizer, the two sharing a video library of matches.

Michel Vonk, the former Manchester City defender who later worked with Slot at AZ Alkmaar, has fond memories of Slot's appetite for the game. "He spent hours watching videos of the big teams, Barcelona and, of course, Manchester City," Vonk tells Sky Sports.

"Arne is a tremendous football coach who likes to play football in an attacking way." Like many top coaches, his commitment to his ideas is total. "He is like Pep Guardiola," adds Vonk. "He believes in these principles and he lives by them with the team."

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Kaveh Solhekol explains the details around Arne Slot's potential move to Liverpool

Slot bonded with Keizer over this enthusiasm for Barcelona's football and when Keizer moved on in October 2016 it was Slot, working with Sipke Hulshoff, who was afforded his chance as a head coach. Jurjan Manners was among his first signings in January.

"Marcel wanted me in Cambuur. He went to Ajax but told me Arne was there and that I had to go and work with him," Mannes tells Sky Sports. "I went for the negotiations and got the presentation from Arne. Immediately, you knew this is where you wanted to be."

'Really clear what he wanted'

"I was lucky to have a trainer like him in my career," says Mannes. Among Slot's many qualities was the clarity of the communication of his tactical ideas. Cambuur usually played on a Friday evening but Slot's team knew the opposition inside out by Tuesday.

"By then, we already knew they were going to press with three, we were going to build with two defenders and two midfielders dropping back and this was the solution to beat the press. In his sessions, you were already handed the solutions for Friday.

"What Arne did really well was the clarity of what we were going to do versus what the opponent wants us to do. It was so clear. That was the best thing. When you did video analysis with him or were just speaking about your role, he just simplified everything.

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Watch Arne Slot's inspirational team talk following Feyenoord's win over Ajax last season

"He made it really clear what the goal of your position was, what he wanted you to do, what he didn't want you to do. He gave examples using videos, that kind of stuff. It was really clear what he wanted from me, what I had to adjust, and then you just go out and do it."

Having said that, Mannes had other coaches who were clear in their thinking. "That clarity was not the thing that made him stand out. It was the controlling of space without going one against one." If Cambuur had to go to a five to retain an extra defender, they did so.

"If we did switch, we had prepared six or seven weeks before the game so that the opponent was not expecting it. He is a very clever, smart guy. I think the control he has and the ability to visualise what the opponent is going to do is maybe the best thing that he has."

Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once 'We were fully dominant'

It was in that first job that Slot began to attract attention because of his accomplishments. Notably, Cambuur, as a second-tier side, defeated Ajax in the KNVB Cup before following that up with a quarter-final win over an Utrecht side coached by Erik ten Hag.

Image: Arne Slot during Cambuur's 2017 KNVB Cup semi-final against AZ Alkmaar

Only a penalty shoot-out defeat to AZ Alkmaar in the semi-final denied Slot a third victory over elite opposition in that cup run. But even more impressive was their league form that season. Cambuur had been 14th when he took over but he lifted them to third.

"We were fully dominant," says Mannes. Play-off defeat was tough to take. "We ended up not getting promoted but style-wise we were far from everyone else." Slot's departure to take an assistant coaching role at AZ was the next step on his journey to the top.

'A shock for some players'

It was no surprise to Mannes when AZ came calling. Indeed, the only shock was for the AZ players, whose ideas were soon being challenged by their new assistant coach. "You could already see the style changing in the first year that Arne was there," says Mannes.

"I know about some really clear presentations he gave to the players almost immediately. There was almost a shock moment for some of the players because he was pointing them in a new direction that they were not used to. Those are the stories that I heard."

Slot spent two years as assistant to John van den Brom before the head coach moved on in the summer of 2019. "I think everyone who was a little close to Arne knew he was going to be the head coach after this." It was a leap forward for Slot - and for AZ.

'We were on a roll'

The following campaign was a fraught one for AZ in some respects. "We had to deal with so many things that season," Pascal Jansen tells Sky Sports. The collapse of a roof at the club's creaking stadium meant having to play home games at an alternative venue.

It did not prevent Slot leading AZ's impressive title push. Jansen was on Slot's coaching staff at the club before eventually succeeding him. There is still frustration about how that season played out. AZ were level on points with Ten Hag's Ajax with nine games left.

Image: Arne Slot with Pascal Jansen - the pair took AZ Alkmaar to the brink of the title

"We had a big chance because we were in a good phase, a good mood," recalls Jansen. "We were on a roll, had beaten Ajax twice. We were mentally tough, played good football and scored a lot of goals. And then the season stopped." It never did restart.

"If you compare our league to the rest, they had a break and finished the league," adds Jansen. "That is something that the Dutch government did not allow us to do and we will never know how that season would have finished. It was a big frustration."

Slot was sacked in December of the following season, amid accusations that he was not fully focused on the team having been negotiating with Feyenoord. It was an unfortunate end but his legacy was strong. "He spent a lot of time with the youngsters," says Vonk.

'Pressing at a higher intensity'

More than that, he instituted the attacking game that has become de rigueur across Europe - possession play combined with intense pressing. These were principles that he had begun to put in place at the very start of his coaching career with Cambuur, reveals Mannes.

"Pressing-wise, his teams are very well organised. At Cambuur, we always felt that we were pressing at a higher intensity than our opponents, pushing them into the areas where we wanted to press them, dominating even when we did not have the ball."

It was similar at AZ. "He likes his teams to apply pressure on the opponent at any moment," says Vonk. "With that, he understands the importance of being super fit. He makes his team stronger, working them very hard to be able to play by his principles.

"And because of this high press, his teams have a lot of self-belief. There are principles that underpin his attacking approach. It starts on the training pitch. A lot of video analysis. He is very clear and makes sure he takes his team on the journey with him."

Feyenoord was the same story. "The initial idea is to look forward," says McDonald. "They are not a team that is always playing it backwards or sideways unless the game demands it and they are 1-0 up with a few minutes left. The intentions are always to go forward."

'Arne gets more out of players'

Mannes regards Slot's success at Feyenoord as a continuation of his work, a continuation of a trend. Since their Eredivisie title win in 2017, the club had not finished in the top two since and were languishing down in seventh spot in the table when he took charge.

"He took over from Dick Advocaat, a good coach but a coach with a completely different style to Arne. You could see how the team changed, the style, the dominance, the results, the trophies. Arne gets more out of players than a normal coach."

There was progress in his first full season with Feyenoord restored to third before winning the Eredivisie title in 2023. It was achieved playing a brand of football that felt like the future for the club, a victory for Feyenoord and a victory for Slot's vision.

'One of the best with the media'

In the modern game, selling that vision to the players is only part of the job - selling it to the wider world can be just as important. Slot's ability to do that sets his apart from many coaches in the game. "With the media, I rate him as one of the best," says Vonk.

McDonald remains an admirer of Ten Hag but acknowledges that this is perhaps a key difference between the two Dutch coaches and a reason to believe that Slot is more likely to succeed in the Premier League. "I think Arne is easier on the ears," he says.

"What I like about Arne is that he is really clear. He does not rush. He does not get hassled. He figures out the questions that the press are trying to put to him and has got them sussed in no time. I think that is one of the main reasons why he has done so well."

Interestingly, his old player Mannes makes this same point about Slot working out what to expect from the press ahead of time. "One thing Arne knows how to deal with is the media. I almost know that he is preparing press conferences as he does with games."

Image: Arne Slot lost out to Jose Mourinho in the 2022 Europa Conference League final

Slot has even had the obligatory run-in with Jose Mourinho before becoming Liverpool manager. Slot had praised Napoli but when facing Mourinho's Roma suggested he did not watch so many of their games, preferring to watch Guardiola's teams instead.

"Mourinho was pretty upset and motivated his team," recalls Mannes. "That probably backfired because they lost against Roma so he will also learn from those things." But, as Mannes and many others see it, this playfulness is all part of the man's charm.

"As a player, you just really believe in him. He is the one you follow. When you go in at half-time, he will give you the little details to turn the game in your favour, you do it and, boom, it happens. You just buy into him. That is also what he does in the media."

'The best managers still lose'

It may have bought Slot some time this season because PSV have been the runaway leaders in the Eredivisie, not even losing a game until the 27th week of the season. Feyenoord did win the KNVB Cup but have had to settle for second spot in the table.

Santiago Gimenez, who scored 13 goals in the second half of last season, has only managed three in the same period this time around. "It has been a bit of a pity that he has not been on the ball because he was scoring for fun before that," says McDonald.

"That has been a problem. Some of those coming in to replace certain players in certain positions have just not been good enough. You can be the best manager in the world but you will still lose." And yet, Feyenoord could still surpass last season's points total.

'Good person to follow Klopp'

Liverpool are looking beyond trophies when assessing the right person to replace Jurgen Klopp. There is a feeling among those who know Slot and his work that it is the combination of playing style and personality that makes him the right fit.

"I have no doubt that he can relate to the people, he is tactically good and he is hard if he needs to be," says McDonald. "If there is a problem he will solve it. I think he is a good person to - I cannot believe I am saying this - follow Jurgen Klopp. That is huge.

"But I like that Arne is an easy-going person and I think that will stand him in good stead in terms of following someone who had such a good relationship with his players. That respect from the players can only be won by training methods and communication."

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Jamie Carragher says Arne Slot may find the step up from Feyenoord to Liverpool difficult

Tactically, Vonk thinks that the change can be relatively seamless. "Most definitely. They are also a team that can be dominant on and off the ball." While Mannes is convinced that it is this combination of pressing and passing that makes Slot ideal for Liverpool.

"I don't follow Liverpool as much as Feyenoord but I know Pep Lijnders. They also stand out for their pressing, with a different style under Jurgen Klopp with three up front and three centre-midfielders and the full-backs wide. But it is intense pressing too.

"If they want a coach who can organise a team with pressing but also be really good on the ball, without a doubt Arne Slot is one of those guys who will probably surprise a lot of people not that into Dutch football. Style-wise it will be something that suits, definitely."

A daunting task but one Arne Slot has been preparing for.

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Carra on the future of Mo Salah

"There is a real discussion for the new manager about what the future holds for Mo Salah - it's the first time we've asked that question. He only has a year to go on his contract.

"He's looked a shadow of himself for a lot of this season but especially since he's come back from injury. He is Liverpool's legend, superstar, one of the all-time greats. But he's been so far off it."

Image: Mohamed Salah's returns for goals and assists have dropped off since New Year's Day, despite hitting more shots on target and clocking a higher xG per 90 minutes Carra on whether Nunez is good enough to be a title-winning striker Image: Misfiring forwards have cost Liverpool big this season

"You want him to do well because he gives everything, he causes trouble, he gets the odd goal. But after two years, when Liverpool are going for the title or in big games, you need your man to score at Old Trafford or at Goodison Park. This is the business end. He's ground to a halt.

"After two years there's going to be no improvement in him. This is what he is. He can cause trouble but he's erratic with his finishing - it's not enough to win you trophies so there's a big decision to be made on him."

Datawrapper This content is provided by Datawrapper, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Datawrapper cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Datawrapper cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Datawrapper cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once Carra on Nunez's pivotal missed chance just before half-time Image: Darwin Nunez is denied by Jordan Pickford in Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Everton

"The chance Nunez misses is unforgivable at this level. It's not acceptable when you're going for a title."

Nunez's glaring chance registered 0.506 xG, which ranks as Liverpool's 11th-worst miss from open play in the Premier League this season.

Nunez's worst open-play misses in PL this season Date Opponent Minute xG Sep 3 Aston Villa 49 0.614 Jan 1 Newcastle 12 0.516 Feb 10 Burnley 95 0.516 Apr 24 Everton 35 0.506

‘Can Nunez, Gakpo and Diaz go from rough diamonds to the real deal?’

Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:

"Darwin Nunez is still a striker that's developing but he cost a lot of money. We watched Nicolas Jackson last night and that young man has been criticised heavily, but Nunez is missing as big, if not bigger, chances - and with a bigger price tag.

"I don't really ever go at players for missing chances because of the position I played in, but if that was a striker in my team, I'd be fuming. That chance in the first half was as simple as putting the ball in the back of the net should be for a striker at this level. Just put it into the corner. Jordan Pickford left such a gap. The goal was gaping, yet he snatches ,and he's not got the confidence.

"He hasn't built in his mind what is a Darwin Nunez finish. With the best strikers, you know what they're going to do when they get into a certain position. With Mo Salah, you know he gets it onto his left foot and sets it out into the far corner. He was below par tonight as well.

"Luis Diaz is electric - I'd have hated to play against him. But the next few years of success at Liverpool will come down to whether Cody Gakpo, Nunez and Diaz can step up and go from rough diamonds into the real deal. That's a big question mark and we're going to have another coach who's going to try to deliver that."

Carra on Liverpool's need to replace Konate

"Konate has been so poor of late. Liverpool need to buy a centre-back in the summer."

Carra on Liverpool's over-reliance on Van Dijk

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin heads Everton into a two-goal lead against Liverpool

"Everton did a job on Van Dijk, basically saying 'if we block him, we will have joy against the other players.'

"It's easy to say 'Calvert-Lewin had a bit of joy, Van Dijk got blocked off there and got blocked off there'. Van Dijk takes that much responsibility on almost every set-piece. Where are the others? It can't always be about Van Dijk. If you have the opposition blocking you from winning headers, it shows how dominant you are. He needs more help. You need more people taking responsibility and not just leaving it to the captain. He needs help and he never got it tonight."

Carra on the title race...

"This is the end of the title run for Liverpool. It almost feels like the end. They just have to make sure they finish the season strongly.

"They had enough chances in the game but at the moment they are not clinical enough in both boxes.

"I don't think you can get too angry with the team or Jurgen Klopp. It's been a great ride and a great journey. But tonight is Everton's night and you have to take it on the chin."

Carra on Liverpool over-performing but not being good enough

"Man City are on a different level to Liverpool and l also think Arsenal have the edge on Liverpool. In the last six to eight weeks when the top three have been going for the title, it has been a hope rather than a belief.

"In some ways, l think this team has over-achieved because l don't actually think they are that good.

"I don't mean that as a criticism. They have done brilliantly well, they have lost four games out of the last 44 in the Premier League. I am finding it hard to be too critical because with the team and the quality of the players they have got... they have over-performed this season and they are just not quite good enough. When it has come to the crunch, they have just been a little bit short."

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