Five things we learned from Arne Slot’s first interview at Liverpool, as he explained the reveal delay

Arne Slot has given his first interview as Liverpool’s new head coach, with the Dutchman covering a variety of topics since arriving on Merseyside.

Slot spoke to the club’s media as he prepares for his first season in charge after being confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor earlier this summer following a three-year spell at Feyenoord.

He is set to meet his new team next month as the Reds’ pre-season preparations begin, while he now also knows who he will face in his first competitive game in charge. Liverpool will face Ipswich Town in their first game of the new Premier League season.

READ MORE: Arne Slot’s first comments on Liverpool’s transfer strategy could be good news for Reds fans

READ MORE: Arne Slot’s Pep Guardiola comments speak volumes as the Liverpool boss speaks out for the first time

Before that, there will be a lot of work for Slot. Here are five things we learned from his first interview as Liverpool boss.

Why did the reveal take so long

Slot’s appointment has not been a secret for some time. In fact, virtually everyone knew he was coming to Anfield before it was officially confirmed on May 20 – the day after Jurgen Klopp’s last game.

After that, though, it was radio silence from Slot. Although his appointment had been confirmed, no reveal had taken place until today, leaving some fans a little worried. Rest assured, though, he’s kept himself busy during this time.

Explaining why it took so long for him to be revealed by the club, Slot said: I think it is, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, maybe goodbye to Jurgen, who was really special from what I saw.

“It was also the same day I left Feyenoord, but I saw a few things and then there were a few goodbyes from what I saw, so I think it was fair for him and the club and the fans to wait a little and then enter.

“Besides, I’ve been on vacation, as you can probably see! And yes, I think now is a good time to come here and talk to you, but let’s be clear: I’m not starting today, I’ve already been in a lot of contact with staff members – from people who work here to new staff members coming in – and of course almost every day Richard (Hughes) and I call each other because we need to talk.

“This is also a very important phase for the new season to make sure the squad is ready and we have to play in the pre-season. So a lot of things have been done, but more in the background and now I’m standing here in front of you, I think it’s a good time to do it now for the few reasons I’ve just given you.”

He spoke to Jurgen Klopp

Slot will have a tough act to follow. Klopp completely transformed Liverpool after arriving at a mid-table club in 2015, winning every major trophy he could, including a first league title in 30 years.

The German is now set for a well-deserved rest, although he was still on hand to pass on some advice to his successor as Slot lifted the lid on their conversations.

“I did the same thing at my former clubs when I started there, but I think if someone has worked at a club for nine years (and had) so much success, you want to know everything about it from them and you want to you also know things. of the players – although I think it’s also important to get my own take on it. So you can use all this information that he has because he did so well, not only in terms of the results, but I think everyone saw in the bye, but also in the years before how popular he was .

“He gave me more than just some good advice, but I think what stood out to me was that he was so happy for me and that – and I think he’s said this in the press – he’s going to be my biggest fan. now forward. because he supports Liverpool in the best possible way and you don’t see that very often. So it says a lot about his character, how he handled this situation.”

He will play a similar style

One of the biggest reasons why Liverpool settled on Slot as Klopp’s successor was due to the similar way his Feyenoord side played in the Eredivisie.

It’s a style Slot plans to take with him to Anfield, which should hopefully make the transition to the new head coach a smooth one.

“It’s my style, but I think it’s the style of a lot of modern managers at the moment: we’ve all been a bit inspired by the rivalry between City and Liverpool. We’ve all been inspired by Guardiola and Klopp and I think at a big club, where I’ve also worked at Feyenoord, it’s probably the only style you can play – have the ball a lot, have a lot of energy and I think even now there are comparisons between the club I left behind and the club I will be working for now.

“Both (sets of) fans like to see a team that wants to do everything to win a game and if things are tough they try to do everything to turn the game around and I think that’s what Liverpool have done for a long time times and I think that was also done by my former team Feyenoord many times.”

What does his new title mean?

Unlike Klopp, who held the title of manager during his time at Liverpool, Slot arrives as the club’s head coach. The new title has led many to assume he will take on less responsibility than his predecessor, whose influence over transfers and other off-field matters increased during his time in charge.

Slot explained what his new title entails and what it will mean for this summer’s transfers with sporting director Richard Hughes.

“For me, it’s normal because that’s how it is in Europe and Holland. I don’t think there’s too much of a change between a head coach and a manager, it’s just that being a head coach I can really get into the things I’d like to do.

“So he works with the team, prepares the team in the best possible way, and me and Richard will work together when it comes to transfers, but not just the two of us – there’s a big backroom staff involved in that. .

“I think for me it’s the way I’ve always worked and for me it’s the ideal way of working because I can use most of my time working with the team and the remaining time will probably be a little bit for the family and a little bit to talk with Richard about how we can strengthen the team. But we already have a very strong team.”

The back staff

Slot has confirmed that three members of his backroom staff have been appointed, with two of his former Feyenoord coaches joining him at Anfield.

Sipke Hulshoff will join him as an assistant in the same role in Rotterdam as Ronald Koeman with the Dutch national team.

Ruben Peeters arrives as performance coach, while Fabian Otte takes over as the club’s goalkeeping coach, having previously worked at Borussia Monchengladbach while currently working with the USA at this summer’s Copa America.

More appointments are expected before the start of the new season in August, with Slot set to take charge of Liverpool for the first time next month during the club’s pre-season tour of the US.