Liverpool could hardly have made a better choice when deliberating over who should succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Reds headed into the unknown at the start of the campaign, facing their first season without Klopp since 2015/16.
The legendary German had given Liverpool a head start in choosing his replacement by announcing his intention to leave five months before the end of the season.
However, given the level of success Klopp had achieved with the club – and his status as one of the most popular managers in Liverpool’s history – replacing him was always going to be difficult.
Nevertheless, after a long process looking at potential candidates, Liverpool went with Arne Slot as their number one choice.
Despite Slot hitting the ground running, though, he has seemingly not convinced everyone. And it has now emerged that Man United legend Gary Neville almost got himself into hot water on Merseyside after some recent public comments about the Liverpool head coach.

Liverpool left looking for Gary Neville apology
Since his highly successful playing career came to an end in 2011, Neville has become known as one of the country’s most high profile pundits.
As a result, the 49-year-old can often be heard commenting on goings on at Liverpool. Given his United allegiances, these views should always be taken with a pinch of salt.
However, according to The Telegraph, Liverpool themselves were left annoyed by Neville’s recent declaration that Slot was their third choice replacement for Klopp.
In quotes captured by the Liverpool ECHO on September the 2nd, Neville claimed during a heated live discussion on Sky Sports with Jamie Carragher that the Reds had only gone with Slot after extinguishing two other options.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher insists Liverpool did something against Brighton that Arne Slot ‘doesn’t want
“Liverpool couldn’t find manager first, second or third (choice),” said the pundit.
“Well they didn’t want Arne Slot probably,” Neville continued, after being challenged by Carragher. “They didn’t think he was a guarantee to take on like Erik ten Hag.”
Neville’s comments reportedly ‘put out’ Liverpool to the extent that they ‘briefly contemplated demanding a public retraction’ from the pundit. Though they seemingly ultimately thought better of it.
Was Arne Slot Liverpool’s first choice?
There seems to have been a very public push back from Liverpool that Slot was indeed their first choice pick to replace Klopp.
Of course, the subject is especially pertinent this week, as the Reds take on Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Alonso was seen by many – including most likely Neville – as Liverpool’s top candidate in the summer.
However, the reality is that, as far as reports claim, the Spaniard was never offered the job. In fact, neither was the perceived ‘second choice,’ Ruben Amorim.
Slot was the only man given the chance to become the new Liverpool boss. And so far, that’s one that the Dutchman has grasped with both hands.
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