Arne Slot took his place in entrance of the media for the primary time as Liverpool’s new head coach on Friday, and it gave us some useful perception into what we will count on from him.
The Slot period at Liverpool is formally underway, pre-season is in movement and the Dutchman addressed the media for the primary time with the Liver chook on his chest.
It was a press convention that befell on the AXA Coaching Centre and lasted near half-hour, sufficient time to see how relaxed Slot was and his variations from his predecessor.
Listed below are 4 issues we seen.
Quick and to the purpose solutions
With Jurgen Klopp, we had been used to lengthy responses to questions – until the query aggravated him to the extent that he would dismiss it virtually immediately.
Slot, however, supplied solutions that had been succinct and to the purpose – fairly the change of tempo!
Maybe this may occasionally change as he grows extra snug in his new environment however, for now, it was one of many first stuff you seen because the press took turns placing him within the highlight.
Glad to lean into some jokes
The main determine of a membership can’t be severe always, it isn’t enjoyable for them or supporters.
After all, if outcomes aren’t constructive the atmosphere shouldn’t be fairly arrange for jokes, however right here we noticed Slot lean into his persona and let it shine.
When discussing ways, it was put to him that he used a 4-2-3-1 formation at Feyenoord, one thing he let slide till the ultimate a part of his reply when he joked: “I’m curious who instructed you we performed 4-2-3-1!
“Possibly that one ought to go to get his licence or analyse a bit higher!”
A chuckle from Slot and the assembled media was hopefully an indication of issues to return, with this relationship a basic one – simply ask Jurgen!
Not scared to tackle the problem
It may be intimidating to take over from somebody who many deem irreplaceable, and you might not fault Slot if he did maintain reservations, however he remained steadfast that it’s one thing he’s embracing.
“You possibly can have a look at it each methods, you possibly can have a look at it that yeah, they’re massive footwear to fill, however you can too have a look at it that you just inherited a squad and a workforce that has a profitable tradition,” he stated.
“You possibly can have a look at it in a method of being the successor of somebody who is admittedly profitable, however I have a look at it in a method that’s superb as a result of there is a chance to win one thing.”
Klopp returned the membership to its former glory and now the baton has been handed on to somebody who clearly appreciates and acknowledges what got here earlier than him, but in addition what lies forward.
The Dutchman comes throughout as modest however with clear and apparent convictions in his personal potential. The proper mixture should you ask us.
Behind-closed-door chats keep non-public
There’s a small line between divulging every part and protecting issues out of the general public realm, to this point Slot has confirmed that he doesn’t really feel the necessity to disclose every part.
He displayed this a number of instances all through the press convention, one such event was when he was requested the place he sees Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cody Gakpo enjoying subsequent season.
Slot might have simply began discussing this out within the open, however as an alternative stated: “In the event you don’t thoughts, I’m going to speak to them about that first and work with them first earlier than telling you.”
One other instance pertains to his calls together with his predecessor, with him saying, “We’ve spoken about many issues, however I believe it’s no more than regular that the issues we’ve spoken about stays between us.”
That is clearly the best way he operates and we don’t see it altering anytime quickly.