- The Dutchman was confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at the end of May
- Slot’s first game in charge of the Reds will be against Ipswich at Portman Road
- Listen to It all starts! What Jude Bellingham needs to do to take his game to the next level
Arne Slot believes Jurgen Klopp’s decision to sing his name during the German’s farewell at Anfield ‘says the most’ about the legendary manager’s character.
The Dutchman’s arrival was muted long before official confirmation came from the club in May. In fact, the first ‘official’ statement indicating he would become the new Reds boss came from his predecessor, who led a chant on the final day of the Premier League season.
With a big grin on his face, Klopp sang: ‘Arne Slot! La, la, la la! Arne Slot! La, la, la, la!’
He then said: ‘When the next season starts, you don’t wait to see what’s going on, no, you go into it full throttle. You welcome the new manager like you welcome me. You go all-in from day one.’
Slot, speaking publicly for the first time as Liverpool manager on Wednesday, praised the German’s stylish touch and revealed the song quickly reached his home in the Netherlands.
Arne Slot has praised the character of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp after speaking publicly for the first time as Liverpool manager
Klopp sang the name of his Liverpool successor during his farewell speech in May
“Right after it happened I got a lot of texts from people who saw this and sent it to me.” Slot told the saying. “This is probably one of the reasons why he is so popular here, because of course he has won the trophies, but to do this for your successor.
‘I don’t think it’s ever happened before that the fans, let alone the former manager, are chanting your name before you get there.
‘This says the most about him and I hope the fans will sing again next season – maybe not my name, but something more for the players.
‘But sometimes when I’m in Zwolle, where I live, people pass by my house and sing this song! So it has already had an impact!’
The Dutchman comes to Anfield for three years from Feyenoord, where he won the league title and the cup, and officially took over as head coach of Liverpool on June 1.
He revealed that he spent his first few weeks as head coach not only studying games but also training to get a feel for his new team’s playing style and culture.
He is also working hard behind the scenes and is in daily contact with sports director and fellow newcomer Richard Hughes.
This showed that Slot spent his first weeks as head coach studying matches and training sessions of the former regime
“This is a good time to get here and talk to you,” Slot said. ‘But let’s be clear: I’m not starting today, I’ve already had a lot of contact with employees.
‘From the people who work here to the new employees who come in, and of course Richard and I call each other almost every day because we need to talk.
‘This is also a very important phase for the new season, to ensure that the team is ready.
On Tuesday, Slot discovered the identity of his first opponent when the Premier League matches for the 2024-2025 season were announced.
The Reds travel to newly promoted Ipswich in the opening weekend, ahead of home games against Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
In the middle of that series is the small matter of a trip to Old Trafford to take on his compatriot Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.
Slot’s first Merseyside derby is scheduled for early December. Liverpool meet Manchester City for the first time in November and there will be a difficult end to the season with clashes against Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal in three of their last five games.
The 45-year-old’s first taste of the Premier League will come to newly promoted Ipswich in August
His start on Merseyside has not been helped by the European Championship and Copa America, which last until mid-July.
The Reds’ pre-season tour takes them to the US for the first time since 2019, where they face Arsenal, United and Real Betis on July 27.