[ad_1]
Although Arne Slott will not lead Liverpool’s transfer process like Jurgen Klopp, the head coach will have “very specific” instructions when it comes to recruitment.
Slott’s appointment is the first in the new set-up at Liverpool, and his role as head coach relieves the Dutchman of many of the responsibilities Klopp has taken on.
That includes transfer decisions, now led by athletic director Richard Hughes and assistant David Woodfine, overseen by Fenway Sports Group general manager of football Michael Edwards.
However, Slott’s opinion will still rank highly when it comes to who is brought in and who is traded – as he will ultimately be in charge of selecting the team.
In that sense, his experience in a similar setup at Feyenoord could be instructive, and the Dutch club’s scout Christos Akkas detailed what to expect.
“The coach was very specific about what he wanted to play,” Akkas told Athletic.
“We were able to capture from a data perspective, from a scouting perspective, but also from a mental, physical, technical, tactical perspective, exactly how he wants to play.
“And then the club set some rules. So we never sign an older or more expensive player than the one being traded.
“Then we narrow down the search and find the most suitable player within that range.”
Liverpool are likely to operate in a similar fashion, with Edwards’ previous spell as sporting director at Liverpool proving his ability to not only build a team, but also create world-class potential.
The best example was the signing of Mohamed Salah, a player who wasn’t Klopp’s priority – Julian Brandt was, in fact – but who suited the management system perfectly and became one of Liverpool’s best ever players.
Slott will be identified not only by his achievements as a coach, but also by his suitability to the structure that is now in place at Anfield.
There could be concerns about an off-field dictatorship of sorts, with Edwards and Hughes pulling a rank above the head coach when it comes to signings and sales.
But their recruitment process is more likely to be based on the 45-year-old’s demands – and as Akkas suggests, he will be “very specific” about how he wants to play.
‘Unique market opportunity’
The only known target to emerge since Slott became Liverpool’s head coach so far is centre-back Leny Yoro, with the club “actively monitoring” the 18-year-old as he prepares to leave Lille.
Interestingly, however, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Liverpool see Yoro as “a unique market opportunity rather than a core part of their recruitment plans”.
In short, the teenager would be too much of a talent to turn down, suggesting the club will continue to look for players beyond the deadline if the opportunity arises.
[ad_2]
