Arne Slott urged Liverpool players and fans to pick up where they left off under Jurgen Klopp as he predicted a smooth transition ahead of his first season at Anfield.
The 45-year-old, who formally took up the job on June 1, praised his predecessor for helping usher in a “fantastic era” for the Premier League, with the 2019 Champions League winner creating European football’s defining rivalry with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Klopp stepped down at the end of last season after nine years in the job, paving the way for former Feyenoord coach Slott to step into the role.
Speaking to the club’s website in his first interview since taking the job, he said in a message to supporters: “There has been a change. But, we hope that the change is not that big, because we still have the same players.
“We still have the same fans. And if they both do the same job, it will make my life a lot easier.
“I expect him to appear again next season. Same for the players. I will do everything in my interest and be able to lead the team in the best possible way.”
Under Klopp, Liverpool won the Premier League title in 2020, their first title in 30 years, and finished as runners-up to Guardiola’s City twice.
In each of those two campaigns in 2018/19 and 2021/22, they were involved in a breathless race with their rivals, fishing for a record number of points to keep the team from winning the league.
Slott pointed to the “tremendous job” the German has done to restore Liverpool to regular title contender status and said Klopp’s work meant he took charge with a team well placed to continue fighting near the top of the division.
“I’m 45 now, I’ve been watching football for a long time and I watch a lot of football,” he said.
“There was an era where everyone looked at the Barcelona side of Xavi, (Andres) Iniesta and (Lionel) Messi. Rivalry with Real Madrid with Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think when that came to an end, there was a new rivalry in European football between Jurgen and Pep Guardiola. I think it was a fantastic era for anyone who loves football, they both brought out the best in each other.
“I saw a lot of Liverpool games, a lot of City games. When you live in Europe, the Premier League is probably the most beautiful league to follow.
“He’s done a great job here and I’m really happy with that as a fan. But now as his successor, he left Liverpool in the best possible way in my opinion. A very good team, I’m looking forward to it.”
Slott won the Eredivisie with Feyenoord in the 2022/23 season, the first time the club had been crowned Dutch champions since 2017, and is regarded as one of the best managers in the club’s history.
