“When Arne Slot was linked with Liverpool, I thought he was the perfect fit”

Former Reds goalkeeper Westerveld and new head coach Slot were previously teammates together at Sparta Rotterdam and the pair have remained friends since the latter launched his successful coaching career.

Slot officially took charge of LFC on Saturday after three seasons in charge of Feyenoord, having guided them to the 2022-23 league title, the KNVB Cup and being named Eredivisie Manager of the Year twice.

Westerveld, who made 42 appearances for Liverpool between 1999 and 2001, told LFCTV Extra time: “The moment I heard Arne’s name (linked), I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s a perfect fit.’

“Over the years, people talk about Arne in Holland and they always compare him to Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp.

“He always showed Liverpool clips during training sessions and analyzing games. He was showing Liverpool clips on how to play. He plays in a similar style. It has been well documented how he plays, what he wants in a team.

“Besides that, he’s also a really nice guy. It’s always a joke, which is very important because it gives a kind of balance in the team, in the group – focus, train hard, laugh when you can. Take the pressure off in certain situations, but never lose focus on winning games.

“It’s easy to motivate the first XI, but if you talk about the players who are on the bench, from 12 to 25, they are all happy with him and in all the clubs he has trained, so that is very important and says a lot good. .”

Slot was the captain of Sparta Rotterdam when Westerveld arrived in 2007 and showed the qualities he would take with him into the next stage of his football career.

After retiring as a player in 2013, Slot took his first steps into coaching at SC Cambuur, before taking charge of AZ Alkmaar and then Feyenoord.

“This is a guy who faces pressure as a football player, as a coach,” Westerveld continued.

“As a player, it was always clear that he would become a coach. He was always talking to the manager at halftime, he was always the one talking.

“It’s just amazing if you see what he’s done in all three teams he’s coached. I’m looking forward to his style.”