Arne Slot has just spilled the beans on FSG’s quiet transfer plan to Liverpool

The hard work doesn’t start here. It may have been only a momentary aside during a wide-ranging welcome interview, but Arne Slot instantly eased fears among the angrier members of Liverpool’s fan base.

Slot’s radio silence since being confirmed has left the new Reds head coach uneasy with some fans, especially given how vocal the Dutchman had appeared on the subject while still in charge of Feyenoord.

However, this was just the 45-year-old politely answering questions about the situation. And it was the same show of respect, this time for his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, that persuaded Slot to wait until Wednesday before Liverpool fans finally hear from the new man and are given a real first look on his football beliefs and methods.

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Slot, however, hasn’t just been basking in the sun on a hard-earned family holiday in Ibiza in recent weeks. And while publicly it appears that little has happened in Liverpool, events behind the scenes paint a somewhat different story.

This became evident on Wednesday when, as part of his press conference, the Reds boss confirmed several members of his new backroom staff. The arrival of Sipke Hulshoff as assistant and Ruben Peeters as Liverpool’s head of performance was expected, but there was a fresh name in Fabian Otte being appointed as the club’s new head of first-team goalkeeping training.

Slot also unwittingly addressed another matter that has caused some intrigue since his title came up would be that of head coach rather than manager, especially given the complete overhaul of the football operation with the owners Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group, in preparation for what is likely to be a multi-club model.

Although common in Europe, the position of head coach is treated with a level of suspicion in England. For traditionalists, the manager is the manager. By definition, any other title suggests otherwise. And while there is never any real concern of interference with team selection and tactics, the same cannot be said for transfer dealings.

But Slot blew it with his references to Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes, detailing regular squad talks which will include discussions of new signings, potential sales and contracts, relevant given Virgil van Dijk’s situation , Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah. Slot will clearly be as involved in recruitment and squad planning as Klopp.

It also highlighted the new power structure between Liverpool and FSG. Michael Edwards is reportedly back in line as FSG’s executive director of football operations, but it’s clear he won’t be nearly as involved in the day-to-day running of the Reds as he was in his previous roles. That mission now falls to Hughes.

Although he seems fine in the interview and clearly relaxed and affable, Slot is no Klopp. But then who is it? To his credit, the new man was not afraid to reference his predecessor, revealing the discussions between the duo and the influence the German’s methods had on his own coach. Slot, however, was keen to insist that for all the advice he received from the former Reds manager and advice from watching old training sessions, he will very much be his own man. Instead of throwing history out of his backpack, Slot keeps the pieces he needs before climbing his own mountains.

Indeed, the peak being viewed is high. The tone throughout Slott’s interview was one of building on what he inherited and again a throwaway line, stating “we’d all like to see Liverpool a bit higher than third”. Instead of shying away from ambition, Slot embraces it.

One aspect that hasn’t changed with the change of boss is the importance given to the pre-season, even if the impact of the European Championships and Copa America means preparations will not be ideal. Liverpool have booked three games in the US and there will be more this summer. An overseas training camp is unlikely with limited work at the AXA Training Center and it is not out of the question that games could be arranged behind closed doors at Kirkby. The Reds hope to schedule a final friendly at Anfield before the Premier League season kicks off at Ipswich on August 17. If not, Slot’s first experience at his new home ground will be next weekend against Brentford.

“There is a change, but the change is hopefully not that big,” says the Reds boss. “We still have the same players, we still have the same fans – and if they both do the same job, that will make my life a lot easier! I expect them to turn up again next season and the same for the players.”

Evolution not revolution has been the watchword during Klopp’s final year in charge and would seem the most apt description of what Slot aims to achieve in the immediate future at Liverpool – albeit very much in his own image. Hard work just at the beginning.