Arne Slot should be becoming more acclimatised to his new job at Liverpool by the day.
It has been a busy few months for Slot. After an emotional goodbye with Feyenoord, he has been tasked with continuing Jurgen Klopp’s success for Liverpool.
Believing that the Liverpool squad is in a good place for a new head coach to come in and hit the ground running, Klopp saw it as the right time to walk away from the Reds.
The early signs have been that Slot is a good man to continue the German’s legacy at Anfield. He has spoken well in press conferences and appears unfazed by the prospect of following Klopp.
However, the real tests are yet to come. With the new Premier League season drawing ever closer, Liverpool legend John Barnes has shared a slight warning for the new man in the Anfield dugout.
John Barnes sends Arne Slot warning
Slot has been working with his new players at the AXA Training Centre for almost three weeks now.
Players such as Caoimhin Kelleher have spoken highly of Slot, praising the training methods the Dutchman is instilling.
However, the fact remains that Slot is still yet to work with most of Liverpool’s biggest and most influential players.
Mohamed Salah has made an impression on Slot already, but Mo aside, the 45-year-old has not met any of the Reds’ top stars.
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And according to Barnes, this will be where the real challenge lies for Slot. Speaking to Sky Sports, the legendary winger claims that the key to the former Feyenoord manager’s success will be in how much he can get his new players onside.
“The challenge is for the players to be as respectful, attentive and as subservient to Arne Slot as they were to Jurgen Klopp,” says Barnes.
“That’s what happened at Man United when David Moyes came, because the players kind of relaxed. That’s what happened when Arsene Wenger left [Arsenal],” adds the 60-year-old.
“It is understandable, but that is the biggest challenge, because the fans will be there.”
When will Liverpool’s full squad be back?
One of the most challenging aspects of Slot’s early tenure at Liverpool is that he is meeting his squad in dribs and drabs.
It’s hard enough following a legendary figure like Klopp, but the Dutch coach has seen pre-season massively impacted by the summer international tournaments.
This will potentially have a big effect on the early part of Liverpool’s season and should be something fans will have to factor in.
With so many players involved in the latter stages of the Copa America and Euro 2024, the Reds may not have everyone back in training until they’re back from the USA on August the 4th.
At least nine players are missing the tour of the US and will have just two weeks to work with and get to know Slot before the season starts. Not ideal.
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