New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admits he has “big shoes to fill” succeeding Jurgen Klopp but said winning matches would be the best way to start.
Slot has the unenviable task of following nine seasons of success under the popular German, who won the club’s first Premier League title in 30 years and reached three Champions League finals, winning one.
Klopp’s affinity with supporters was also a major factor during his reign and Slot said that was something he would have to develop – but success on the pitch would help.
Arne Slot was full of praise for Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool
“It helps if you get to know the city, but it helps if you win most of your games,” he said at his first press conference.
When asked whether he was daunted by taking over from Klopp at Anfield, he added: “Not at all. You can look at it both ways. Yes, there are big shoes to fill. But also you can look at it in the way that you inherit a team and a squad that has a winning culture.
“One of the reasons to come here is that I do feel we have a really good team and a really good squad. As a manager, you want to work at a club where there are good players, with the opportunity to win something.
“The past has shown there is a possibility for Liverpool to win some trophies. You can look at it as being the successor of someone who is really successful, but I look at that as ideal. I like to work with players, I like to improve them, but I like to win as well and there is an opportunity at this club to win.”
More to follow…
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot was very impressed by the young talent shown at Anfield last season.
Liverpool fixtures: Reds start with trip to Ipswich
Slot kicks off his Liverpool reign with a lunchtime trip to newly-promoted Ipswich Town on the opening Saturday of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Dutchman will then come up against compatriot Erik ten Hag when Liverpool take on arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford in just his third game in charge of the club with the game currently scheduled for Saturday August 31.
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Liverpool footballer and Alpine investor Trent Alexander-Arnold discusses his excitement for the Monaco GP, England’s hopes for Euro 2024 and a new era at Anfield.
Liverpool’s first six 2024/25 Premier League fixtures
All fixtures subject to change.
August
17: Ipswich (a) – Kick-off 12.30pm
24: Brentford (h)
31: Manchester United (a)
September
14: Nottingham Forest (h)
21: Bournemouth (h)
28: Wolves (a)
Liverpool have easiest start
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On Back Pages Tonight, Miguel Delaney and Henry Winter discuss Liverpool’s new head coach appointment Arne Slot.
Analysis by Sky Sports Data Analyst Adam Smith:
Liverpool have the easiest opening six Premier League fixtures on paper, according to the average position of opponents’ league positions last season.
The Reds’ upcoming average league opponent ranked only 14.8 in the standings last term.
