- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 21,128
-
Contact the PP Team
Arne Slot to becomes Liverpool new head coach after Jurgen Klopp steps down from the post at the end of the 2023/24 season [Post #147]
- Thread starter MenInG
- Start date
FearlessRoar
T20I Star
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,521
Jurgen Klopp makes ‘dream come true’ after managing team for first time since Liverpool exit
Jurgen Klopp admitted returning to the touchline at Borussia Dortmund was a ‘dream come true’.
The German, who departed Liverpool after nine years at the club in May, was back in the dugout in Germany on Saturday.
He managed one of the teams during a testimonial for two Borussia Dortmund legends who he used to coach.
Polish duo Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski will have their careers celebrated at Signal Iduna Park.
They have both played a huge part in the modern success of Dortmund and were key players for Klopp during his time there.
Piszczek and Blaszczykowski were both part of the Bundesliga-winning teams in 2011 and 2012 under him.
And they also helped Klopp's side reach the Champions League final 11 years ago, in which they lost to rivals Bayern Munich.
As the pair looked to create the best testimonial possible, they contacted their former manager to try and get him involved.
His job as a manager for the game was then announced in August.
“It's a lifelong dream come true”' Klopp said. “I wanted to have that again.
“Just a few months ago, I was given an emotional farewell in Liverpool. Today it was very emotional again.
“Some people might say that today he's like this and tomorrow he'll be like that. I explain it like this: when you have three children, you love them all. And that's the same with my three clubs. I love them all.”
It marks Klopp's first match as a coach since leaving Liverpool and beginning his break after claiming that he was 'running out of energy'.
He also hinted that he could potentially retire from the game when announcing his Reds departure, but it seems after some rest he's happy to get back to some football.
Klopp was in charge of Blaszczykowski's team while former Liverpool and Dortmund player Nuri Sahin featured too.
talksport.com
Jurgen Klopp admitted returning to the touchline at Borussia Dortmund was a ‘dream come true’.
The German, who departed Liverpool after nine years at the club in May, was back in the dugout in Germany on Saturday.
He managed one of the teams during a testimonial for two Borussia Dortmund legends who he used to coach.
Polish duo Lukasz Piszczek and Jakub Blaszczykowski will have their careers celebrated at Signal Iduna Park.
They have both played a huge part in the modern success of Dortmund and were key players for Klopp during his time there.
Piszczek and Blaszczykowski were both part of the Bundesliga-winning teams in 2011 and 2012 under him.
And they also helped Klopp's side reach the Champions League final 11 years ago, in which they lost to rivals Bayern Munich.
As the pair looked to create the best testimonial possible, they contacted their former manager to try and get him involved.
His job as a manager for the game was then announced in August.
“It's a lifelong dream come true”' Klopp said. “I wanted to have that again.
“Just a few months ago, I was given an emotional farewell in Liverpool. Today it was very emotional again.
“Some people might say that today he's like this and tomorrow he'll be like that. I explain it like this: when you have three children, you love them all. And that's the same with my three clubs. I love them all.”
It marks Klopp's first match as a coach since leaving Liverpool and beginning his break after claiming that he was 'running out of energy'.
He also hinted that he could potentially retire from the game when announcing his Reds departure, but it seems after some rest he's happy to get back to some football.
Klopp was in charge of Blaszczykowski's team while former Liverpool and Dortmund player Nuri Sahin featured too.
Klopp makes 'dream come true' after managing team for first time since Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp admitted returning to the touchline at Borussia Dortmund was a ‘dream come true’. The German, who departed Liverpool after nine years at the club in May, was back in the dugout in Germ…
talksport.com
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
'Honeymoon' over as Slot rues Liverpool 'setback'
"A setback" was how Arne Slot described his first defeat as Liverpool manager, while pundit Chris Sutton declared "the honeymoon is over".
Slot had led Liverpool to three wins out of three without conceding since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
But they were frustrated by Nottingham Forest, who claimed their first win at Anfield since February 1969 thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike.
It was not a proper smash-and-grab, but Liverpool did have the better chances - and Slot said his team made too many errors.
Liverpool were frustrated by Forest breaking up play in the first half and their best chance came when Luis Diaz struck a post.
One team's unbeaten start was in all the headlines - and the other team's was not. And now one of them, Forest, remain without defeat.
In fact this was Slot's first defeat in 30 games - a run stretching back to Feyenoord's 2-1 Champions League loss at Celtic on 13 December 2023.
"Not to the process, but it is a big setback," said Slot of the Anfield reverse.
"If you lose a home game it’s always a setback, especially if you face a team, we never know, maybe they will go all the way to fight for Champions League places but normally this team is not ending up in the top 10.
"So if you lose a game against them it’s a big disappointment."
The Anfield faithful were clearly frustrated at how the game was panning out and many started to leave the ground before full-time.
Former Celtic striker Sutton, at Anfield for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "Arne Slot's honeymoon period is over - there's plenty of work to do.
"Arne Slot will have not wanted the international break. His side this afternoon have been out-thought by this Forest team."
In a short post-match news conference, Slot added: "They played a lot of long balls.
"We had a lot of ball possession but only created three or four quite good chances. That’s not enough if you play so much in their half. We lost the ball so many times in simple situations.
"The other team played over our press a lot with a lot of long balls. Too many individual performances in ball possession were not up to the standards that I’m used to from these players."
Liverpool visit AC Milan on Tuesday in their first Champions League league phase game.
Slot has named the same side for the past three matches - but he may well decide it is time for a change.
Nuno 'masterclass' in win
Former Blackburn striker Sutton called it a "masterclass" by Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
The manager brought on pacy duo Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga in the second half and they combined for the goal.
"Nottingham Forest were outstanding," said former England captain Alan Shearer on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The way they defended as a team was magnificent, and this was no fluke. They stopped Liverpool every time they got into the box.
"Then they went and hit them on the break - what a finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi. What a start to the season they've had."
Forest have won two and drawn two of their opening four games.
"We are proud and very happy to win. I know the miles and the distances they put in," Nuno told BBC Match of the Day.
"We had to overrun them, that is the only way at Anfield. Our fans haven't celebrated in Liverpool for so long, so enjoy it."
The last time Forest won at Anfield, it was five months before the first man landed on the moon.
"If you ignore the quality Liverpool have it is a mistake, and we didn't," added a delighted Nuno.
"It’s all about taking your chances at the right moment, and we did."
BBC
"A setback" was how Arne Slot described his first defeat as Liverpool manager, while pundit Chris Sutton declared "the honeymoon is over".
Slot had led Liverpool to three wins out of three without conceding since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
But they were frustrated by Nottingham Forest, who claimed their first win at Anfield since February 1969 thanks to Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike.
It was not a proper smash-and-grab, but Liverpool did have the better chances - and Slot said his team made too many errors.
Liverpool were frustrated by Forest breaking up play in the first half and their best chance came when Luis Diaz struck a post.
One team's unbeaten start was in all the headlines - and the other team's was not. And now one of them, Forest, remain without defeat.
In fact this was Slot's first defeat in 30 games - a run stretching back to Feyenoord's 2-1 Champions League loss at Celtic on 13 December 2023.
"Not to the process, but it is a big setback," said Slot of the Anfield reverse.
"If you lose a home game it’s always a setback, especially if you face a team, we never know, maybe they will go all the way to fight for Champions League places but normally this team is not ending up in the top 10.
"So if you lose a game against them it’s a big disappointment."
The Anfield faithful were clearly frustrated at how the game was panning out and many started to leave the ground before full-time.
Former Celtic striker Sutton, at Anfield for BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "Arne Slot's honeymoon period is over - there's plenty of work to do.
"Arne Slot will have not wanted the international break. His side this afternoon have been out-thought by this Forest team."
In a short post-match news conference, Slot added: "They played a lot of long balls.
"We had a lot of ball possession but only created three or four quite good chances. That’s not enough if you play so much in their half. We lost the ball so many times in simple situations.
"The other team played over our press a lot with a lot of long balls. Too many individual performances in ball possession were not up to the standards that I’m used to from these players."
Liverpool visit AC Milan on Tuesday in their first Champions League league phase game.
Slot has named the same side for the past three matches - but he may well decide it is time for a change.
Nuno 'masterclass' in win
Former Blackburn striker Sutton called it a "masterclass" by Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
The manager brought on pacy duo Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga in the second half and they combined for the goal.
"Nottingham Forest were outstanding," said former England captain Alan Shearer on BBC Radio 5 Live.
"The way they defended as a team was magnificent, and this was no fluke. They stopped Liverpool every time they got into the box.
"Then they went and hit them on the break - what a finish from Callum Hudson-Odoi. What a start to the season they've had."
Forest have won two and drawn two of their opening four games.
"We are proud and very happy to win. I know the miles and the distances they put in," Nuno told BBC Match of the Day.
"We had to overrun them, that is the only way at Anfield. Our fans haven't celebrated in Liverpool for so long, so enjoy it."
The last time Forest won at Anfield, it was five months before the first man landed on the moon.
"If you ignore the quality Liverpool have it is a mistake, and we didn't," added a delighted Nuno.
"It’s all about taking your chances at the right moment, and we did."
BBC
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2023
- Runs
- 18,953
Arne Slot has done something at Liverpool that Jurgen Klopp managed only once in eight full seasons in charge: win the opening three Premier League games without conceding
The former Feyenoord boss had big boots to fill when he replaced Klopp, who won the Champions League and Premier League with the Reds.
Fans were not sure how the team would fare with a new manager, but the early signs are good.
"The most impressive thing is that Slot has come in - understated and cool - and they have slightly changed the way they play as it is not so frantic," says BBC pundit Chris Sutton.
"They were great to watch under Jurgen Klopp but there seems to be greater control."
It appears like Liverpool might have shored up their leaky defence too.
BBC Sport looks at what is different and what has stayed the same.
Source: BBC
The former Feyenoord boss had big boots to fill when he replaced Klopp, who won the Champions League and Premier League with the Reds.
Fans were not sure how the team would fare with a new manager, but the early signs are good.
"The most impressive thing is that Slot has come in - understated and cool - and they have slightly changed the way they play as it is not so frantic," says BBC pundit Chris Sutton.
"They were great to watch under Jurgen Klopp but there seems to be greater control."
It appears like Liverpool might have shored up their leaky defence too.
BBC Sport looks at what is different and what has stayed the same.
Source: BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
Slot challenges Jones to add consistency to game
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has challenged midfielder Curtis Jones to add consistency to his game because "the best players in the world show up every three days".
Jones has been in impressive form recently, scoring in a league win against Chelsea and providing a brilliant pass in setting up Luis Diaz for a goal in Tuesday's 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
He has again been called up to the England squad for games in November. The uncapped 23-year-old was drafted in as an injury replacement at the last England camp but withdrew because of the birth of his daughter.
"With Curtis maybe it's not me who did it because he became a father and I had nothing to do with that," said Slot.
"You never know if that plays a part or not but, since the moment he became a father, he started putting great performances in.
"He did it in pre-season but then his performances dropped a little bit. Since he became a father, he's outstanding again. It might have to do a bit with that but, in general, I think it has to do with how the team plays."
In the summer, Jones spoke about how Slot's style of play suited him "because I can get on the ball more and be free" after the Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
"He has a lot of quality on the ball," added Slot. "He's never afraid to do something special with it. Sometimes that leads to situations when, in my opinion, he touched that ball a bit too much because sometimes he's a bit too over-confident.
"He combines this with an incredibly hard work-rate and we can trust him in defence. He's quite complete but for him now it's all about consistency. The best players in the world show up every three days."
Liverpool are top of the Premier League table, with a two-point lead over champions Manchester City going into Saturday's game against Aston Villa and, after four wins in four, are also top of the Champions League group in its new format this season.
Slot has guided the Reds to 14 wins in his first 16 games since replacing Slot but insists no-one at the club is getting carried away.
"We are there to do our work and become better players on a daily basis or keep having the same level," he said.
"It's not the first time that this club is where it is at the moment. I think for most of these players it is a normal situation and I don't think they get carried away at all by us being top of the league at the moment.
"They know how small the margins are when it comes to our results and the amount of points we are ahead of the other teams."
He added: "I'm not trying to manage expectations with the squad because we don't talk about expectations.
"The only expectations I have is that they put the same effort in on a daily basis. That's the only thing we focus on."
BBC
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has challenged midfielder Curtis Jones to add consistency to his game because "the best players in the world show up every three days".
Jones has been in impressive form recently, scoring in a league win against Chelsea and providing a brilliant pass in setting up Luis Diaz for a goal in Tuesday's 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
He has again been called up to the England squad for games in November. The uncapped 23-year-old was drafted in as an injury replacement at the last England camp but withdrew because of the birth of his daughter.
"With Curtis maybe it's not me who did it because he became a father and I had nothing to do with that," said Slot.
"You never know if that plays a part or not but, since the moment he became a father, he started putting great performances in.
"He did it in pre-season but then his performances dropped a little bit. Since he became a father, he's outstanding again. It might have to do a bit with that but, in general, I think it has to do with how the team plays."
In the summer, Jones spoke about how Slot's style of play suited him "because I can get on the ball more and be free" after the Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
"He has a lot of quality on the ball," added Slot. "He's never afraid to do something special with it. Sometimes that leads to situations when, in my opinion, he touched that ball a bit too much because sometimes he's a bit too over-confident.
"He combines this with an incredibly hard work-rate and we can trust him in defence. He's quite complete but for him now it's all about consistency. The best players in the world show up every three days."
Liverpool are top of the Premier League table, with a two-point lead over champions Manchester City going into Saturday's game against Aston Villa and, after four wins in four, are also top of the Champions League group in its new format this season.
Slot has guided the Reds to 14 wins in his first 16 games since replacing Slot but insists no-one at the club is getting carried away.
"We are there to do our work and become better players on a daily basis or keep having the same level," he said.
"It's not the first time that this club is where it is at the moment. I think for most of these players it is a normal situation and I don't think they get carried away at all by us being top of the league at the moment.
"They know how small the margins are when it comes to our results and the amount of points we are ahead of the other teams."
He added: "I'm not trying to manage expectations with the squad because we don't talk about expectations.
"The only expectations I have is that they put the same effort in on a daily basis. That's the only thing we focus on."
BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
‘I don’t talk about favourites’: Arne Slot refuses to get carried away by title talk
Arne Slot has said Liverpool will not get carried away with being tagged title favourites given the fine margins in the Premier League and Manchester City’s track record of reeling in rivals.
Liverpool opened up a five-point lead over City before the international break and have made their best start to a Premier League season since winning the title in 2019-20. Opta now gives Liverpool a 60.3% chance of winning this season’s championship but Slot, whose side visit the bottom club, Southampton, on Sunday, insists recent history shows the reigning champions can never be written off. Arsenal held an eight-point lead over City on 1 April 2023. Liverpool were three points clear of City in April of this year. Pep Guardiola’s team won the title on both occasions.
“I don’t talk about favourites,” Slot said. “It is boring but I just talk about the next game, which is a challenge in itself. In the Premier League the margins are very small. That is true all season. I have followed the league and there was a moment when City were eight points behind Arsenal, so there is no use in getting carried away at all at this moment in time.
“These teams like City, Arsenal and Chelsea, even [Manchester] United and all the others, are able to put together a run of games like we did. So we are not getting carried away at all and looking at it in terms of favourites. The players know what they have to do to win a game, and it’s a lot. If they could give 50% less and still win, maybe we would think we have 50% extra in the tank and not need to give our maximum for results. But we know it has been a close call in many games.”
Slot concedes that Liverpool’s remarkable start – nine wins in 11 league games, 15 wins in 17 matches in all competitions – has helped eradicate any concerns the players might have had over him replacing Jürgen Klopp in the summer.
“It is completely normal they thought that. They didn’t just have nine years with the former manager, they had nine successful years,” he said. “Then you always wonder, ‘Are things going to change?’ In the summer we didn’t bring in that many new players so then it is quite normal, if you look at the teams we are competition with who did bring in players, to think, ‘What is going to happen this season?’ Especially because nearly all of them were on holiday two weeks before the season started.
“That is why it was really helpful we got results from the start and they saw from the start the playing style didn’t change that much. So that combination of things helped.”
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa at St Mary’s. Of the injured quartet, only Alexander-Arnold has not been ruled out of next week’s Champions League game against Real Madrid.
SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...iverpool-title-premier-league-manchester-city
Arne Slot has said Liverpool will not get carried away with being tagged title favourites given the fine margins in the Premier League and Manchester City’s track record of reeling in rivals.
Liverpool opened up a five-point lead over City before the international break and have made their best start to a Premier League season since winning the title in 2019-20. Opta now gives Liverpool a 60.3% chance of winning this season’s championship but Slot, whose side visit the bottom club, Southampton, on Sunday, insists recent history shows the reigning champions can never be written off. Arsenal held an eight-point lead over City on 1 April 2023. Liverpool were three points clear of City in April of this year. Pep Guardiola’s team won the title on both occasions.
“I don’t talk about favourites,” Slot said. “It is boring but I just talk about the next game, which is a challenge in itself. In the Premier League the margins are very small. That is true all season. I have followed the league and there was a moment when City were eight points behind Arsenal, so there is no use in getting carried away at all at this moment in time.
“These teams like City, Arsenal and Chelsea, even [Manchester] United and all the others, are able to put together a run of games like we did. So we are not getting carried away at all and looking at it in terms of favourites. The players know what they have to do to win a game, and it’s a lot. If they could give 50% less and still win, maybe we would think we have 50% extra in the tank and not need to give our maximum for results. But we know it has been a close call in many games.”
Slot concedes that Liverpool’s remarkable start – nine wins in 11 league games, 15 wins in 17 matches in all competitions – has helped eradicate any concerns the players might have had over him replacing Jürgen Klopp in the summer.
“It is completely normal they thought that. They didn’t just have nine years with the former manager, they had nine successful years,” he said. “Then you always wonder, ‘Are things going to change?’ In the summer we didn’t bring in that many new players so then it is quite normal, if you look at the teams we are competition with who did bring in players, to think, ‘What is going to happen this season?’ Especially because nearly all of them were on holiday two weeks before the season started.
“That is why it was really helpful we got results from the start and they saw from the start the playing style didn’t change that much. So that combination of things helped.”
Liverpool will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa at St Mary’s. Of the injured quartet, only Alexander-Arnold has not been ruled out of next week’s Champions League game against Real Madrid.
SOURCE: https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...iverpool-title-premier-league-manchester-city
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2023
- Runs
- 18,953
Arne Slot says his Liverpool players are used to the pressure of having to win as they seek to maintain their advantage at the top of the Premier League
Slot's side are seven points clear at the top going into Saturday's derby at Everton (12:30 GMT).
Liverpool did stretch their lead to nine points by beating Manchester City last Sunday, but that was trimmed on Wednesday as they drew 3-3 at Newcastle while Chelsea and Arsenal, their closest challengers, both won.
Premier League champions City, meanwhile, are nine points behind the Reds after beating Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
"I think if you play for Liverpool, every day you feel pressure because you play at a big club," head coach Slot said.
"Everybody expects two things from us - that we win and that we play good football.
"That's also the good thing - that these players are used to this being expected from them - so, if we are top of the league, second, third or fourth, people expect us to win and in a certain way. That pressure is always there.
"If you play or work at this level, you like this pressure for the simple reason that players are able to do what is expected of them. It's much harder if you, for example, have to stay above the relegation zone.
"We've got the quality to do what we are doing at the moment - winning games and playing good football. There is always pressure if you are at a club like Liverpool - like it is at Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea."
'We have to be aggressive but in a smart way'
The game will be Slot's first derby as Reds boss but is set to be the last in the league at Goodison Park, with Everton planning to move to their new stadium for next season.
Slot has watched back Liverpool's last visit to Goodison in April when, under Jurgen Klopp, they were beaten 2-0 as their title challenge faded.
"I was a bit surprised after half an hour because Liverpool had the ball most of the time but there were 10 fouls by a Liverpool player and only one from Everton," said the Dutchman.
"We have to be aggressive but in a smart way, especially because they are a big threat from set-pieces. If you want to talk about tactics, first you have to match their work-rate."
There have been 23 red cards in the Merseyside derby during the Premier League era, with 16 for Everton and seven for Liverpool.
Slot added: "It's going to be special for everyone. To be part of this game is already special and to be part of the last one at Goodison Park makes it probably even more special.
"It's only a nice experience if the result goes your way and that is what we are focusing on most."
Sources: BBC
Slot's side are seven points clear at the top going into Saturday's derby at Everton (12:30 GMT).
Liverpool did stretch their lead to nine points by beating Manchester City last Sunday, but that was trimmed on Wednesday as they drew 3-3 at Newcastle while Chelsea and Arsenal, their closest challengers, both won.
Premier League champions City, meanwhile, are nine points behind the Reds after beating Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
"I think if you play for Liverpool, every day you feel pressure because you play at a big club," head coach Slot said.
"Everybody expects two things from us - that we win and that we play good football.
"That's also the good thing - that these players are used to this being expected from them - so, if we are top of the league, second, third or fourth, people expect us to win and in a certain way. That pressure is always there.
"If you play or work at this level, you like this pressure for the simple reason that players are able to do what is expected of them. It's much harder if you, for example, have to stay above the relegation zone.
"We've got the quality to do what we are doing at the moment - winning games and playing good football. There is always pressure if you are at a club like Liverpool - like it is at Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea."
'We have to be aggressive but in a smart way'
The game will be Slot's first derby as Reds boss but is set to be the last in the league at Goodison Park, with Everton planning to move to their new stadium for next season.
Slot has watched back Liverpool's last visit to Goodison in April when, under Jurgen Klopp, they were beaten 2-0 as their title challenge faded.
"I was a bit surprised after half an hour because Liverpool had the ball most of the time but there were 10 fouls by a Liverpool player and only one from Everton," said the Dutchman.
"We have to be aggressive but in a smart way, especially because they are a big threat from set-pieces. If you want to talk about tactics, first you have to match their work-rate."
There have been 23 red cards in the Merseyside derby during the Premier League era, with 16 for Everton and seven for Liverpool.
Slot added: "It's going to be special for everyone. To be part of this game is already special and to be part of the last one at Goodison Park makes it probably even more special.
"It's only a nice experience if the result goes your way and that is what we are focusing on most."
Sources: BBC
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
It's only special if you win things, says Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was delighted to book his first place in an English final - but warned "it's only special if you can win things".
The Reds demolished Tottenham 4-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg to turn around a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
Liverpool, who won the cup last season under Jurgen Klopp, will face Newcastle in the Wembley final on Sunday, 16 March.
This is 46-year-old Dutchman Slot's first season in English football, having moved from Feyenoord in the summer, and the first time he will have been to Wembley.
Citing the 1992 European Cup final, where Barcelona beat Sampdoria 1-0 at Wembley, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We all know as Dutch people how important Wembley was for Ronald Koeman and Barcelona and Johan Cruyff.
"It is special to go there as I know how iconic that stadium is."
But he added: "It's only special if you can win things. We know how difficult that's going to be as Newcastle are an impressive team."
Slot won the Dutch Cup with Feyenoord last season, beating NEC 1-0 in the final.
"It's always nice to play a final," he said.
"We come in every day, we try to improve the team. The players try so hard to improve themselves, but in the end it's about reaching finals and winning things."
And he added that it was probably his best night as Liverpool manager so far - in an impressive campaign to date in which he has won 29 of his 37 games in charge and only lost three.
"I think we had some big nights here already but to reach a final should also be special, and that is what it is," he said.
"So in that perspective it has been the most special evening."
EFL Cup often predates Premier League glory
With a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and into the last 16 of the Champions League, Slot will be hoping success in the EFL Cup is just the start for his side this season.
He will be following several other managers in trying to use the competition as a springboard for further glory.
Of the 11 bosses to have won the Premier League title, four lifted the League Cup, as the competition was formerly known, before doing so - Alex Ferguson, Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
For Mourinho and Guardiola in particular, it was not only their first trophy in the country but the beginning of a memorable period at the top of the English game.
On their 2005 League Cup win, Mourinho's Chelsea captain John Terry said: "It set us on our way. It gave us a taste of what we wanted - more.
"A lot of people write this competition off but for me it is huge and we look back on that 2004-05 season... it had a huge impact on our confidence and momentum."
In Mourinho's own words: "If there is any secret, it's to take it seriously."
Just a few months after winning the League Cup for the first time, Mourinho - like Pellegrini and Guardiola at Manchester City - went on to win the league.
'Could be a really, really special season'
Liverpool are favourites to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the EFL Cup - and not far off to win the FA Cup.
The Reds' season has been remarkable, given a dip was thought to be inevitable when the legendary Klopp left.
The only time Klopp won multiple major trophies in a season was in 2021-22, when they won the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
"This could be a really, really special season for Liverpool," said ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
"They've been in this situation at this stage of the season, with four trophies still available, I think twice in the past three or four years under Jurgen Klopp and they came away with two Carabao Cups and one FA Cup. They didn't get the big ones.
"The most important thing is to win the big trophies, the Premier League and Champions League."
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: "They're in a fantastic position, everything is looking so good for them.
"Can they capitalise on it and do something unprecedented by winning four trophies? I think you're never going to get a better chance.
"Liverpool right now are arguably the best team in the world. It's almost beyond his wildest dreams.
"When he came here, following someone like Jurgen Klopp, he would've just been hoping it goes well. For him to do what he's done is absolutely phenomenal. He's been magnificent."
BBC
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was delighted to book his first place in an English final - but warned "it's only special if you can win things".
The Reds demolished Tottenham 4-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg to turn around a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
Liverpool, who won the cup last season under Jurgen Klopp, will face Newcastle in the Wembley final on Sunday, 16 March.
This is 46-year-old Dutchman Slot's first season in English football, having moved from Feyenoord in the summer, and the first time he will have been to Wembley.
Citing the 1992 European Cup final, where Barcelona beat Sampdoria 1-0 at Wembley, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We all know as Dutch people how important Wembley was for Ronald Koeman and Barcelona and Johan Cruyff.
"It is special to go there as I know how iconic that stadium is."
But he added: "It's only special if you can win things. We know how difficult that's going to be as Newcastle are an impressive team."
Slot won the Dutch Cup with Feyenoord last season, beating NEC 1-0 in the final.
"It's always nice to play a final," he said.
"We come in every day, we try to improve the team. The players try so hard to improve themselves, but in the end it's about reaching finals and winning things."
And he added that it was probably his best night as Liverpool manager so far - in an impressive campaign to date in which he has won 29 of his 37 games in charge and only lost three.
"I think we had some big nights here already but to reach a final should also be special, and that is what it is," he said.
"So in that perspective it has been the most special evening."
EFL Cup often predates Premier League glory
With a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League and into the last 16 of the Champions League, Slot will be hoping success in the EFL Cup is just the start for his side this season.
He will be following several other managers in trying to use the competition as a springboard for further glory.
Of the 11 bosses to have won the Premier League title, four lifted the League Cup, as the competition was formerly known, before doing so - Alex Ferguson, Manuel Pellegrini, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
For Mourinho and Guardiola in particular, it was not only their first trophy in the country but the beginning of a memorable period at the top of the English game.
On their 2005 League Cup win, Mourinho's Chelsea captain John Terry said: "It set us on our way. It gave us a taste of what we wanted - more.
"A lot of people write this competition off but for me it is huge and we look back on that 2004-05 season... it had a huge impact on our confidence and momentum."
In Mourinho's own words: "If there is any secret, it's to take it seriously."
Just a few months after winning the League Cup for the first time, Mourinho - like Pellegrini and Guardiola at Manchester City - went on to win the league.
'Could be a really, really special season'
Liverpool are favourites to win the Premier League, the Champions League and the EFL Cup - and not far off to win the FA Cup.
The Reds' season has been remarkable, given a dip was thought to be inevitable when the legendary Klopp left.
The only time Klopp won multiple major trophies in a season was in 2021-22, when they won the FA Cup and EFL Cup.
"This could be a really, really special season for Liverpool," said ex-Reds defender Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports.
"They've been in this situation at this stage of the season, with four trophies still available, I think twice in the past three or four years under Jurgen Klopp and they came away with two Carabao Cups and one FA Cup. They didn't get the big ones.
"The most important thing is to win the big trophies, the Premier League and Champions League."
Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp added: "They're in a fantastic position, everything is looking so good for them.
"Can they capitalise on it and do something unprecedented by winning four trophies? I think you're never going to get a better chance.
"Liverpool right now are arguably the best team in the world. It's almost beyond his wildest dreams.
"When he came here, following someone like Jurgen Klopp, he would've just been hoping it goes well. For him to do what he's done is absolutely phenomenal. He's been magnificent."
BBC
Amjid Javed
PakPassion's 100,000 posts man
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2004
- Runs
- 118,594
- Post of the Week
- 8
Slot seems to have a calm mindset. Also he done his homework and realises in such a long season you need to pace your team right, also rotate well.
Most of 1st team starters will be rested for FA cup game, so that they are fresh for Everton PL game.
Most of 1st team starters will be rested for FA cup game, so that they are fresh for Everton PL game.
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
I can't accept Nunez's work-rate – Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he "can't accept" striker Darwin Nunez's work-rate in his past two games.
The Uruguay international was a second-half substitute in the win over Wolves on 16 February and the draw at Aston Villa on 19 February, when he missed an open goal.
Nunez did not come off the bench in Sunday's 2-0 win at Manchester City, which took Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Slot defended Nunez after his miss against Villa but said he allowed his "disappointment" to impact his work-rate.
"I helped him by saying you can miss a chance," Slot said in his news conference before Wednesday's visit of Newcastle.
"I wasn't only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
"I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it.
"If you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I'm not saying he didn't do that at all, but it wasn't the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard."
Slot said Nunez, who has scored six goals in 35 games in all competitions for Liverpool this season, was "incredible" in training on Monday.
BBC
Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he "can't accept" striker Darwin Nunez's work-rate in his past two games.
The Uruguay international was a second-half substitute in the win over Wolves on 16 February and the draw at Aston Villa on 19 February, when he missed an open goal.
Nunez did not come off the bench in Sunday's 2-0 win at Manchester City, which took Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Slot defended Nunez after his miss against Villa but said he allowed his "disappointment" to impact his work-rate.
"I helped him by saying you can miss a chance," Slot said in his news conference before Wednesday's visit of Newcastle.
"I wasn't only hard on him. But for the second time in a row I wasn't happy with his work effort, against Wolves and against Villa.
"I can't accept if a player doesn't give everything. That is clear. I can accept it once, but twice was a bit too much. That's why I addressed it.
"If you miss a chance, you need to be fighting for the team. I'm not saying he didn't do that at all, but it wasn't the usual Darwin, the one that is loved by the fans. That is mainly because he always works so hard."
Slot said Nunez, who has scored six goals in 35 games in all competitions for Liverpool this season, was "incredible" in training on Monday.
BBC
FearlessRoar
T20I Star
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2023
- Runs
- 30,521
Arne Slot has made Liverpool even better
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2023
- Runs
- 32,460
Title, Trent and transfers - Slot reflects on season
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says excuses are "for teams that don't win the league", and it is "nice" his side won the Premier League so he does not have to rely on them.
Reflecting on leading the club to a 20th top-flight title in his first year since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, the Dutchman told BBC Sport of his pride it had been achieved despite some challenges.
"All these excuses you could give to Liverpool... with us maybe not spending... or not bringing new players in, or taking over from someone," he said.
"All these things are excuses for teams that don't win the league, and it's nice that if you have all these excuses, that you don't have to use them, but you still just won it."
Liverpool secured the title without any serious strengthening of the squad Slot inherited, which he said made it "probably even more special".
And he drew comparisons with his time at Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie in 2023 despite an overhaul of his team.
"I did it now in two different leagues and in two different ways," he said.
Earlier this week, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lamented how "red cards and injuries", external had impacted on their title bid.
Injuries to key players have similarly been cited in the lack of a sustained challenge from defending champions Manchester City - not least by manager Pep Guardiola.
In a wide-ranging interview conducted at the club's training ground before Liverpool's final match of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Slot also spoke of:
Liverpool clinched their second title in five years with a month of the season to spare, and go into the final weekend with a 12-point lead over nearest challengers Arsenal.
Arteta has highlighted the fact Liverpool had secured 82 points when they won the title, while Arsenal managed 89 and 84 points in each of the past two years but finished runners-up.
Asked about the Spaniard's comments, Slot said: "Everybody has the right to have his own opinion... what he meant was: 'Sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time.'
"I totally agree with him on that. Only not in a Premier League season. So in a Champions League, FA Cup, World Cups, then it is about 'in the right time in the right place'.
"In a season that's so long, then normally the best team wins the league."
Reflecting on the season, Slot said he would prefer to win the Premier League than the Champions League because it is "even more difficult".
He said: "You can reach a final with good luck, and you can never win a league with only having a lot of luck.
"Maybe we were a bit lucky that City had - for the first time in five years - a difficult period. But we were also part of that difficult period, because we beat them at home [when] they had already lost a few... and we didn't have one, and that's what you need when you want to win a league like this.
"You cannot have a longer period of games where you drop points."
'Very unlucky' in Champions League
On reaching a final with "luck", Slot felt his side did not get any when they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain.
The French champions have since gone on to beat Aston Villa and Arsenal en route to the final, where they will face Inter Milan on 31 May.
Liverpool topped the league phase of the new-look competition, winning seven of their eight games, including victory over Real Madrid.
"We were very unlucky that we had to play PSG in March, because in this country we don't have a winter break," Slot said.
"So we had to play from November to March with all these Real Madrid games and City games... all these tough games in between.
"And then at the end of that period we had to play one team that can play just as intense as we can, only they had a winter break and we were in the end of a four-month period.
"So I think if we could have played them in April, that would have been better.
"And we were so unlucky because we were number one in the league table - we could have had Benfica - like Barca had - and afterwards Benfica and Dortmund, but we got PSG."
Following in Klopp's footsteps
When asked how he had set about building on the work done by Klopp after Liverpool ended the 2023-24 Premier League season nine points behind Manchester City in third, Slot said: "Of course it helps, if you outperform at a club like Feyenoord.
"[I got] a lot of confidence, that they didn't only bring me in to win the league - it was also my playing style and Jurgen left this club, this team, in a great place."
Klopp won eight trophies in his time on Merseyside, including the Premier League title in 2020 and a Champions League win the previous year.
"The culture of this team and the way people work here together has been a joy to step into," Slot said.
"I didn't have to first get the discipline going - these guys were so disciplined and working so hard, and I saw already that there was a lot of quality over here.
"The way they prepare themselves, the way they are ready for every game, every three days, gives you the confidence that we are able to win against any team.
"What we needed to do was do a few things better."
Slot said when he arrived at Anfield his aim had been to qualify for the Champions League.
"And like you see now, that's not an easy task in this country, because so many very good teams are competing for that," he said.
"But the moment I started working with the players... and that was only two weeks before the start of the season, I felt like, 'oh, this is definitely quality'."
Winning the title, he said, was "an achievement that we hoped for".
"We worked really hard, but to say we expected it, I expected it, would be a bit too much," he added.
Nevertheless, the season will end with Monday's bus parade to mark Liverpool's record-equalling 20th title.
"I think these moments will be one of the most special moments in your life, professional-wise, maybe the most special moment," Slot said.
Celebrating Feyenoord's title success with 100,000 people had been "very special", he said, but "to do it with a multiple of that will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience".
"Although, we are planning to win a few things more at this club, so let's hope it's not going to be the last time," he added.
'I hope I can influence fans on Trent'
England defender Alexander-Arnold will end a 20-year association with Liverpool after Sunday's match.
The 26-year-old Liverpudlian opted to not renew his contract and is expected to join Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Liverpool, and for some fans his departure has bitten hard - his appearances since announcing he would leave have been against a backdrop of some booing.
When asked what reception he hopes Alexander-Arnold receives when he is presented with his title winner's medal on Sunday, Slot said: "I hope the same for every other player that contributed to us winning the league, that they will get the reception every player deserves.
"All have worked so hard, not only this season, but throughout their careers to achieve something like this. They did this for themselves, but partly also driven by our fans.
"It would be fantastic, if it's only going to be a positive moment for everyone at the club, and Trent is part of that.
"I hope I can influence them, but they have their own opinion as well."
Focus on league helped contract uncertainty
When the contracts of Egypt winger Salah and Netherlands defender Van Dijk were also set to expire at the end of the season, there was much speculation the club could be losing three key players at once.
However, new deals for Salah and Van Dijk were announced last month, much to fans' relief.
When asked how involved he had got in the negotiations with Salah and Van Dijk, Slot said: "80% was done by the club, separate, but they kept me updated.
"But I like the idea that all those contract things are not done by me, but by someone else, because in this league you need all of your time to prepare your team for the upcoming game. It hasn't been difficult for me, because it hasn't been difficult for the players.
"If it had been difficult for the players, then I would have spent a lot of time talking to them and getting them ready for the next game.
"But I think maybe because we thought we were trying to compete until the end of the Champions League, and for the Premier League, that helped also the players to just stay focused on: 'We can do something special over here.'
"And I think the most special moment for Mo and for Virgil is not their contract extension this year, but it was and is us winning the league. And this is what you live for, it's not the contract - they already have enough money, at least that's what I think!"
Managing Mo
Salah has admitted finding Slot initially "quite tough" and recently spoke of the pair having "honest conversations", external during pre-season after a lacklustre warm-up in a training session, about doing more and setting a good example to younger players.
Does saying that to a player of that status come with risk?
"I'm not so stupid that I just say this out of the blue, bam," said Slot. "And I think I'm smart enough, and I think the main thing you have to do as a manager, if you want to bring your message across... you have to do this in the right way.
"So it wasn't only that - probably I gave him 15 compliments during that conversation, and then I showed him how he did the warm-up."
Slot acknowledged that at that point of pre-season, Salah was largely training with academy players, and added: "I could even understand him thinking, 'is all of this necessary?'
"The way your message comes across, that is something where I think we as managers can make a difference, not so much maybe in our tactics because everybody has great tactics, but how you bring your tactics across - do the players believe in it?
"That is something I think where a manager can make the difference."
Improving the champions - transfer targets
Both Arsenal and Manchester City will be expected to be among Liverpool's rivals for next season's title - with both clubs also expected to spend big in the summer.
After little transfer outlay in the past year, Slot was asked if he needed to do likewise - and, if so, on which positions.
Like Guardiola, he is concerned at the impact of having too big a squad.
Slot said: "I think another question is: 'Does a player that doesn't play that much want to stay at a club where he's not playing that much?'
"I always say that to be on the bench for one season is already difficult - to not play a lot two seasons in a row is almost impossible, so it's not only what I want, it's also what the player wants."
He knows Liverpool will have to buy new players to compete - though accepts it may not be possible to bring in the targets he wants.
"City will probably strengthen the squad again. If the rumours are correct, Arsenal is planning the same, so it would be stupid if we are not looking at trying to strengthen the squad as well," he said.
"Again, I've said it many times, it's not that easy because this team has already won the league. So to find players that can strengthen us - that might not be that difficult - because there are certain players in the world where I think, 'if they would come, it would be nice'.
"But they're also playing at clubs where they don't want to leave. So there are not many that can strengthen us, but the few that are out there, we will try to get them.
"At this moment of time we're not sure if that's possible."
www.bbc.com
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says excuses are "for teams that don't win the league", and it is "nice" his side won the Premier League so he does not have to rely on them.
Reflecting on leading the club to a 20th top-flight title in his first year since succeeding Jurgen Klopp, the Dutchman told BBC Sport of his pride it had been achieved despite some challenges.
"All these excuses you could give to Liverpool... with us maybe not spending... or not bringing new players in, or taking over from someone," he said.
"All these things are excuses for teams that don't win the league, and it's nice that if you have all these excuses, that you don't have to use them, but you still just won it."
Liverpool secured the title without any serious strengthening of the squad Slot inherited, which he said made it "probably even more special".
And he drew comparisons with his time at Feyenoord, where he won the Eredivisie in 2023 despite an overhaul of his team.
"I did it now in two different leagues and in two different ways," he said.
Earlier this week, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta lamented how "red cards and injuries", external had impacted on their title bid.
Injuries to key players have similarly been cited in the lack of a sustained challenge from defending champions Manchester City - not least by manager Pep Guardiola.
In a wide-ranging interview conducted at the club's training ground before Liverpool's final match of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Slot also spoke of:
- his "hope" Trent Alexander-Arnold gets a "positive" send-off, after he was booed by some fans following confirmation he will leave his boyhood club next month;
- how he will "cherish for the rest of my life" Monday's open-top bus parade through the city to celebrate winning the title;
- disputed Arteta's argument that teams had to be in "the right place at the right time" to win the Premier League title;
- how he was "not worried" about the uncertainty that surrounded key players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk before they signed contract extensions;
- taking over the job from Klopp;
- how it would be "stupid" not to strengthen the squad this summer - though he admitted the club may not be able to bring in the targets they want.
Liverpool clinched their second title in five years with a month of the season to spare, and go into the final weekend with a 12-point lead over nearest challengers Arsenal.
Arteta has highlighted the fact Liverpool had secured 82 points when they won the title, while Arsenal managed 89 and 84 points in each of the past two years but finished runners-up.
Asked about the Spaniard's comments, Slot said: "Everybody has the right to have his own opinion... what he meant was: 'Sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time.'
"I totally agree with him on that. Only not in a Premier League season. So in a Champions League, FA Cup, World Cups, then it is about 'in the right time in the right place'.
"In a season that's so long, then normally the best team wins the league."
Reflecting on the season, Slot said he would prefer to win the Premier League than the Champions League because it is "even more difficult".
He said: "You can reach a final with good luck, and you can never win a league with only having a lot of luck.
"Maybe we were a bit lucky that City had - for the first time in five years - a difficult period. But we were also part of that difficult period, because we beat them at home [when] they had already lost a few... and we didn't have one, and that's what you need when you want to win a league like this.
"You cannot have a longer period of games where you drop points."
'Very unlucky' in Champions League
On reaching a final with "luck", Slot felt his side did not get any when they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris St-Germain.
The French champions have since gone on to beat Aston Villa and Arsenal en route to the final, where they will face Inter Milan on 31 May.
Liverpool topped the league phase of the new-look competition, winning seven of their eight games, including victory over Real Madrid.
"We were very unlucky that we had to play PSG in March, because in this country we don't have a winter break," Slot said.
"So we had to play from November to March with all these Real Madrid games and City games... all these tough games in between.
"And then at the end of that period we had to play one team that can play just as intense as we can, only they had a winter break and we were in the end of a four-month period.
"So I think if we could have played them in April, that would have been better.
"And we were so unlucky because we were number one in the league table - we could have had Benfica - like Barca had - and afterwards Benfica and Dortmund, but we got PSG."
Following in Klopp's footsteps
When asked how he had set about building on the work done by Klopp after Liverpool ended the 2023-24 Premier League season nine points behind Manchester City in third, Slot said: "Of course it helps, if you outperform at a club like Feyenoord.
"[I got] a lot of confidence, that they didn't only bring me in to win the league - it was also my playing style and Jurgen left this club, this team, in a great place."
Klopp won eight trophies in his time on Merseyside, including the Premier League title in 2020 and a Champions League win the previous year.
"The culture of this team and the way people work here together has been a joy to step into," Slot said.
"I didn't have to first get the discipline going - these guys were so disciplined and working so hard, and I saw already that there was a lot of quality over here.
"The way they prepare themselves, the way they are ready for every game, every three days, gives you the confidence that we are able to win against any team.
"What we needed to do was do a few things better."
Slot said when he arrived at Anfield his aim had been to qualify for the Champions League.
"And like you see now, that's not an easy task in this country, because so many very good teams are competing for that," he said.
"But the moment I started working with the players... and that was only two weeks before the start of the season, I felt like, 'oh, this is definitely quality'."
Winning the title, he said, was "an achievement that we hoped for".
"We worked really hard, but to say we expected it, I expected it, would be a bit too much," he added.
Nevertheless, the season will end with Monday's bus parade to mark Liverpool's record-equalling 20th title.
"I think these moments will be one of the most special moments in your life, professional-wise, maybe the most special moment," Slot said.
Celebrating Feyenoord's title success with 100,000 people had been "very special", he said, but "to do it with a multiple of that will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience".
"Although, we are planning to win a few things more at this club, so let's hope it's not going to be the last time," he added.
'I hope I can influence fans on Trent'
England defender Alexander-Arnold will end a 20-year association with Liverpool after Sunday's match.
The 26-year-old Liverpudlian opted to not renew his contract and is expected to join Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold has won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Liverpool, and for some fans his departure has bitten hard - his appearances since announcing he would leave have been against a backdrop of some booing.
When asked what reception he hopes Alexander-Arnold receives when he is presented with his title winner's medal on Sunday, Slot said: "I hope the same for every other player that contributed to us winning the league, that they will get the reception every player deserves.
"All have worked so hard, not only this season, but throughout their careers to achieve something like this. They did this for themselves, but partly also driven by our fans.
"It would be fantastic, if it's only going to be a positive moment for everyone at the club, and Trent is part of that.
"I hope I can influence them, but they have their own opinion as well."
Focus on league helped contract uncertainty
When the contracts of Egypt winger Salah and Netherlands defender Van Dijk were also set to expire at the end of the season, there was much speculation the club could be losing three key players at once.
However, new deals for Salah and Van Dijk were announced last month, much to fans' relief.
When asked how involved he had got in the negotiations with Salah and Van Dijk, Slot said: "80% was done by the club, separate, but they kept me updated.
"But I like the idea that all those contract things are not done by me, but by someone else, because in this league you need all of your time to prepare your team for the upcoming game. It hasn't been difficult for me, because it hasn't been difficult for the players.
"If it had been difficult for the players, then I would have spent a lot of time talking to them and getting them ready for the next game.
"But I think maybe because we thought we were trying to compete until the end of the Champions League, and for the Premier League, that helped also the players to just stay focused on: 'We can do something special over here.'
"And I think the most special moment for Mo and for Virgil is not their contract extension this year, but it was and is us winning the league. And this is what you live for, it's not the contract - they already have enough money, at least that's what I think!"
Managing Mo
Salah has admitted finding Slot initially "quite tough" and recently spoke of the pair having "honest conversations", external during pre-season after a lacklustre warm-up in a training session, about doing more and setting a good example to younger players.
Does saying that to a player of that status come with risk?
"I'm not so stupid that I just say this out of the blue, bam," said Slot. "And I think I'm smart enough, and I think the main thing you have to do as a manager, if you want to bring your message across... you have to do this in the right way.
"So it wasn't only that - probably I gave him 15 compliments during that conversation, and then I showed him how he did the warm-up."
Slot acknowledged that at that point of pre-season, Salah was largely training with academy players, and added: "I could even understand him thinking, 'is all of this necessary?'
"The way your message comes across, that is something where I think we as managers can make a difference, not so much maybe in our tactics because everybody has great tactics, but how you bring your tactics across - do the players believe in it?
"That is something I think where a manager can make the difference."
Improving the champions - transfer targets
Both Arsenal and Manchester City will be expected to be among Liverpool's rivals for next season's title - with both clubs also expected to spend big in the summer.
After little transfer outlay in the past year, Slot was asked if he needed to do likewise - and, if so, on which positions.
Like Guardiola, he is concerned at the impact of having too big a squad.
Slot said: "I think another question is: 'Does a player that doesn't play that much want to stay at a club where he's not playing that much?'
"I always say that to be on the bench for one season is already difficult - to not play a lot two seasons in a row is almost impossible, so it's not only what I want, it's also what the player wants."
He knows Liverpool will have to buy new players to compete - though accepts it may not be possible to bring in the targets he wants.
"City will probably strengthen the squad again. If the rumours are correct, Arsenal is planning the same, so it would be stupid if we are not looking at trying to strengthen the squad as well," he said.
"Again, I've said it many times, it's not that easy because this team has already won the league. So to find players that can strengthen us - that might not be that difficult - because there are certain players in the world where I think, 'if they would come, it would be nice'.
"But they're also playing at clubs where they don't want to leave. So there are not many that can strengthen us, but the few that are out there, we will try to get them.
"At this moment of time we're not sure if that's possible."
Liverpool boss Arne Slot on titles, Trent and transfers
In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Liverpool boss Arne Slot says excuses are "for teams that don't win the league".
www.bbc.com
Similar threads
- Poll
- Poll
- Poll
