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Liverpool players have cost Jurgen Klopp his dream farewell - and there's a worrying pattern
Luis Diaz sold, Darwin Nunez in danger - Liverpool face ruthless summer transfers and nobody should be safe
Liverpool players have cost Jurgen Klopp his dream farewell - and there's a worrying pattern
Luis Diaz sold, Darwin Nunez in danger - Liverpool face ruthless summer transfers and nobody should be safe
Dirk Kuyt: Arne Slot’s style is exactly what Liverpool supporters love to see at Anfield
Arne Slot inspirational team talk went viral as Liverpool get hint of what's to come
Arne Slot inspirational team talk went viral as Liverpool get hint of what's to come
Liverpool could make seven changes against West Ham as Jurgen Klopp ready to wield axe
Liverpool could make seven changes against West Ham as Jurgen Klopp ready to wield axe
Liverpool reality will eventually become clear after Jürgen Klopp exit and amid Arne Slot task
With four games left of the season and little to play for after Liverpool lost at Everton on Wednesday, it is understandable that the focus for some has shifted to what comes next: Arne Slot. Now confirmed by the man himself, negotiations are underway to bring the Dutch coach to Anfield.
Jürgen Klopp might have pointed out that Champions League qualification is not mathematically secured yet for the Reds but it would take a remarkable collapse for that not to be sorted out. Liverpool is still eight points ahead of Spurs even if you imagine that Tottenham has already won its two games in hand.
That means that it is nearly confirmed that Liverpool will end Klopp's final season with one trophy — the Carabao Cup — and a top-four finish. It wouldn't be the German's most successful campaign but it certainly wouldn't be his worst either.
READ MORE: 'No secret' - Arne Slot confirms Liverpool negotiations and outlines what he wants to happen
READ MORE: Arne Slot has said all the right things to prove exactly why he's perfect next Liverpool manager
In all likelihood, the only thing that has stopped Liverpool from winning the title is injuries. Mid-season, the number of problems that arose was coped with at the time, but there has been a lag effect.
The likes of Joe Gomez and Wataru Endō have looked in recent weeks like they have been overplayed, while Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai have been shadows of their former selves since making a return. Klopp's squad, collectively, looks shattered.
Ultimately, though, the only reason that it feels to Reds fans like the end of the world that the title push has been derailed is the circumstances rather than the manner. Liverpool has overachieved this season, in many respects, even if it might not feel like it just yet.
Last summer, Liverpool rebuilt its entire midfield. It had finished behind Manchester United and Newcastle in the Premier League standings and key figures in the dressing room — Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho — moved on.
Klopp viewed this season as a fresh start and labeled his new-look side as Liverpool 2.0. Were it not for the fact that the German is leaving in four games' time, what has unfolded would be heralded as being a big step forward.
As ever, there is context and nuance. Liverpool was in pole position for the Premier League title only a couple of weeks ago and it was in the Reds' hands. From there, it has collapsed. Even then, though, it would have taken perfection to stave off Manchester City and Arsenal. Just one draw could have been fatal.
Last summer, had you said to most people that Liverpool would end up coming so close to winning the league and would also pick up some silverware at Wembley, everyone would have taken that. Only now has that changed because of Klopp.
That is only natural, of course, and no one is wrong to feel that way. When something is so close, the desperation for it to have happened is understandable. But equally, the reality is that Liverpool has improved dramatically this season and should do so again next year even with the change of manager.
If it is Slot who takes over, as appears close to being the case, then the Dutchman will have a talented squad available to him with the experience of this season under their belt. With a couple of transfer additions, the team will improve further as well and it will be his task to build on the foundations left behind.
When the disappointment of how the Klopp era is set to come to an end is replaced by the excitement for the season and a new head coach, Liverpool will realize its current reality. Things are never as bad as they might seem; this season has actually been a lot better than most people anticipated, even if it might take a little longer to appreciate that amid the current hurt.
Liverpool face unique Arne Slot risk as decision hints at FSG transfer strategy
Liverpool face unique Arne Slot risk as decision hints at FSG transfer strategy
Arne Slot says it is ‘clear’ he wants Liverpool job: ‘I am confident an agreement will be reached with Feyenoord’
'No secret' - Arne Slot confirms Liverpool negotiations and outlines what he wants to happen
Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool and Feyenoord are in negotiations over a deal that could see him succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield in the summer. The Dutchman wants the move and has spoken out about it to confirm as much.
"It's no secret that I want to go to Liverpool," he has said, via Fabrizio Romano, ahead of Feyenoord taking on Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie. "The clubs are negotiating and I am waiting to see what will come out of it. We have to wait until an agreement is reached, but I have every confidence in that."
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gave his approval of the potential appointment after his side was beaten by Everton. "I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment," Van Dijk told Viaplay at Goodison Park.
READ MORE: Liverpool defender admits to uncertainty over future amid search for Jürgen Klopp successor
READ MORE: Arne Slot has said all the right things to prove exactly why he's perfect next Liverpool manager
"I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach. Only I think from what I read and hear is that it's still far from being completed. We shall see."
Liverpool has been impressed by Slot's work. He won the league title last year with Feyenoord and won the Dutch cup this season. He has a superb track record of developing players and making the most of his resources.
While PSV has overtaken Feyenoord in the Eredivisie standings this year and is set to confirm itself as league champion, Slot has undoubtedly got his side overperforming. If he does take over at Liverpool, he will become the 22nd man to be in full-time charge of the Reds and only the fourth from outside the UK.
Liverpool.com says: It certainly looks like it is going to happen. If Slot has been confident enough to talk about it like this then clearly there is something in it and it sounds like a deal might be close to being agreed. Given the public nature of the statement given by the 45-year-old, things might develop quickly.
Liverpool fans still have four matches left of the Klopp era to try and enjoy, despite the Premier League title being out of reach after the disappointing defeat to Everton. His final games are against West Ham United, Spurs, Aston Villa and Wolves.
'My decision is clear' - Arne Slot speaks out on Liverpool manager links as huge update given
'My decision is clear' - Arne Slot speaks out on Liverpool manager links as huge update given
Arne Slot confirms “I’d like to become new Liverpool manager”
Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has publicly confirmed his intention to become the new Liverpool FC manager, speaking on Thursday night.
The 45-year-old Dutchman, who has become the firm favourite to take over Jurgen Klopp after talks this week, was speaking ahead of his side’s Eredivisie match against Go Ahead Eagles.
“It is no secret that I’d like to become new Liverpool manager, my decision is clear,” Slot told ESPN Netherlands.
“Feyenoord and Liverpool are in talks to negotiate, I’m waiting to see what will come out of it.
“I am waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement, I have every confidence in that [happening].”
"Geen geheim dat ik graag naar Liverpool wil" ?????????
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) April 25, 2024
Slot’s public words are quite surprising and certainly not common, but perhaps underline his confidence that an agreement will be made imminently.
Reports on Wednesday had suggested that Feyenoord had rejected Liverpool’s initial offer of compensation, said to be around £7.7 million.
But another report has since suggested that Slot could even be confirmed as the next Liverpool manager this week.
A fee €10 million (£8.6 million) is expected to be accepted by Feyenoord.
Who is Arne Slot?[embedded content]
[embedded content]Arne Slot is the current manager of Feyenoord, and led the Dutch side to the Eredivisie title in 2023. Most recently, he led the Rotterdam club to the KNVB Cup (April 2024).
He predominantly plays a 4-2-3-1 formation, which is possession based and features high pressing.
He has spoken of his admiration for Pep Guardiola as a coach, previously saying: “Pep Guardiola gives me the ultimate joy in football.”
His charismatic personality is one that endears him to players, fans and media alike.
An attacking midfielder as a player, his career was spent entirely in the Netherland, with PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam.
Liverpool next manager latest as Van Dijk gives Arne Slot verdict and talks 'developing quickly'
Liverpool is advancing with a move to bring Arne Slot to the club to take over from Jürgen Klopp. The Reds have identified the 45-year-old Eredivisie winner as someone who ticks a lot of boxes in their search.
And Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has given his approval if the appointment takes place. "I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment," Van Dijk told Viaplay following his side's 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park against Everton on Wednesday.
"I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach. Only I think from what I read and hear is that it's still far from being completed. We shall see."
READ MORE: 'No secret' - Arne Slot confirms Liverpool negotiations and outlines what he wants to happen
READ MORE: Arne Slot has said all the right things to prove exactly why he's perfect next Liverpool manager
According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool could complete a move for Slot as early as this weekend with talks developing quickly. There is no release clause in the Feyenoord head coach's contract after he signed a new deal last summer amid interest in him from Tottenham and he is expected to cost more than $12.5m (£10.0m/€11.6m) .
Liverpool admires the work that Slot has done at Feyenoord, where he won the league last season and last weekend added the Dutch cup to his collection. Getting the best out of his resources and playing in a similar style to Klopp are also big ticks in the boxes of Slot, who has previously admitted that he wants to work in the Premier League.
Liverpool.com says: Slot appears to be a logical choice for Liverpool. The more you learn about him, the more you can see why he appeals to Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes.
There is only really the question about whether he can deal with the step up to managing Liverpool compared to being in the Netherlands but that is something that can only be discovered by giving him a go. That would have been the same with the step up for Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen or Rúben Amorim from Sporting CP.
By all accounts, he has a positive personality and those with knowledge of how he is at Feyenoord paint a picture of someone who has a very good relationship with the fans. That is an absolute must for the Reds for whoever takes over from Klopp.
Luke Littler responds to Liverpool boos with brutal Everton jibe
Luke Littler responds to Liverpool boos with brutal Everton jibe
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