Premier League
Jurgen Klopp Reveals Thoughts On Liverpool Target Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has assured Arne Slot that he will be getting the “best job in the world” if the Feyenoord boss takes over from the German at Anfield.
Klopp is set to depart after this season, and Slot is the frontrunner to succeed him following Liverpool’s discussions with his Dutch club earlier this week.
Before Feyenoord’s victory against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday, Slot expressed his optimism that Liverpool would reach an agreement and acknowledged his eagerness to succeed Klopp.
The highly rated 45-year-old, who has attracted interest from clubs like Tottenham and Leeds in the past, guided Feyenoord to the Dutch title in 2022/23 and secured the Dutch Cup earlier this month.
This week Liverpool’s Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk endorsed Slot’s attacking philosophy as a potential good match for Anfield. Klopp also provided a favorable assessment of Slot’s attributes, highlighting the allure of any manager to lead Liverpool.
“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp told reporters on Friday. “I don’t know him, but some people who know him say he’s a good guy. I like that a lot. So a a good coach, a a good guy. Looking forward to the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I’m more than happy. It’s the best job in the world, the best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”
Feyenoord currently sits in second place in the Eredivisie table, trailing PSV Eindhoven by nine points at the top. Falling short of the title would be a letdown for Slot, repeating Klopp’s disappointment with Liverpool’s title challenge.
Liverpool currently occupies third place in the standings, trailing league leaders Arsenal by three points and second-placed Manchester City by two points. City has a game in hand over both Arsenal and Liverpool, with the latter seemingly squandering their opportunity following losses to Crystal Palace and Everton.
Additionally, the Reds’ exits from the Europa League and FA Cup at the quarter-final stage have dashed Klopp’s aspirations for a triumphant farewell after his nine-year tenure. Klopp hinted that falling short of the title this season could potentially benefit his successor, as the lowered expectations in the following season may alleviate pressure.
“Helps, obviously, with not finishing on a high, it looks like. There’s room for improvement, let me say it like that,” he said ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham.
He continued, “We have to be positive. I’m pretty sure Arsenal and City see it as a two-horse race. They might have to say something different publicly. But I don’t think they expect to lose two games. If they do, it would be silly not to be there so we have to win our games.”
Liverpool’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Merseyside rivals Everton on Wednesday was a significant letdown for Klopp, who shouldered the responsibility for their lackluster display and their first defeat at Goodison Park in 14 years.
“It is my job to create an atmosphere where the boys can be the best version of themselves and that is where I have failed. I take the blame 100 percent,” he said. “I’m not in the mood to surrender, to wave the white flag. We have to make sure we play better.”
With just four games remaining in Klopp’s Liverpool tenure, the journey begins on Saturday with an early visit to West Ham United. His final matches in charge will be against Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Wolves, marking the conclusion of his reign.
