"He's taken all of the good elements from Jurgen Klopp" - Liverpool legend makes bold Arne Slot claims after impressive start to the season
Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has shared his thoughts on Arne Slot's start at Anfield. He compared it with Jurgen Klopp, claiming Slot has taken the good things from the German and added to it.
Klopp left the Reds at the end of the last season after a nine-year illustrious stint. The club then appointed Arne Slot as the new manager and he's had an excellent start to the season. They've won all three games so far and kept clean sheets in all of them, being the only Premier League club to do so.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports Barnes said about Slot:
"He's taken all of the good elements from Jurgen Klopp but also added his own."
Previously on The Rest Is Football podcast, Barnes had compared some of Slot's tactics with that of Klopp, saying (via One Football):
“They’re playing a much slower build-up, many more passes from the back... As much as he’s changed the way we play in possession…out of possession, we’re still closing down."
During his time with Liverpool, Klopp won eight trophies, including one UEFA Champions League and one Premier League. In his 489 games in charge of the club, he won 304 matches, lost 85 and drew 100.
Liverpool star on his impressive start to the season under Arne Slot
Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has had an excellent start to the 2024-25 campaign. He's played every minute of every game for Liverpool so far in a deeper position in midfield, starting alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
When asked about his recent form, Gravenberch said:
"I just feel good in my skin, to be honest. But does that have a reason? Yeah, things are going well at the club. I’m just doing my thing, and it’s working out well now. He [Slot] gives me confidence now. He just lets me start in the lineup. It’s going pretty well. As a player, you obviously want to get minutes."
Liverpool signed Gravenberch from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €40 million. He made 39 appearances across competitions, scoring four goals and providing two assists.
The Dutchman mostly played as a central midfielder under Jurgen Klopp but failed to impress consistently. However, he's been one of the Reds' best performers under Arne Slot so far. He'll look to continue this form when they return after the international break to face Nottingham Forest at home on September 14.