Arne Slot has been warned that an exodus is coming at Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp prepares to leave Anfield.
Klopp has been in charge of the Reds since 2015, transforming them into one of England's top teams. His reign will come to an end this summer though, in a move the German boss announced in January.
Slot is the current favourite to replace him, with Xabi Alonso having ruled himself out and Ruben Amorim pausing talks. Liverpool chiefs have already opened discussions with Feyenoord over Slot's future.
The Dutchman has impressed in his native Netherlands, leading Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season and the KNVB Cup this year. But former Liverpool star Ryan Babel has warned Slot it will not be smooth sailing if he takes over at Anfield.
“Apart from Klopp, I understand that at least forty more people within the club are leaving. From kitchen people to staff and analysts. A trainer who comes has to replace that, and that doesn't seem easy to me," Babel told VoetbalPrimeur.
Babel later clarified that the people set to leave had been brought to Anfield by Klopp. And while he did not name Slot specifically, his comments clearly serve as a warning to the Dutchman.
He tweeted: "Any manager having the desire to take the #LFC job has to know that it has to bring more than just a coaching staff to the club. More than 30 people behind the scenes who Klopp brought in, who were a MAJOR part of #LFC success over the years are leaving too. Tough job."
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Babel is not the only former Liverpool star to be concerned about Slot taking over. Reds legend Jamie Carragher has warned that moving to Anfield from Feyenoord will be a 'huge jump' for Slot to handle.
"What I would say from Feyenoord to Liverpool is a huge jump and I think it shows in this moment a lack of real top managers out there when you look at who Liverpool were going for. Initially probably Xabi Alonso but it was only his first full season as a manager," he told Sky Sports.
"There was talk of Amorin from Sporting Lisbon but he’s only 39. Now Arne Slot looks like he is the favourite right now. I don’t think it’s like Rafa Benitez coming on or Jurgen Klopp coming in. Benitez came off the back of winning two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup.
"Jurgen Klopp coming after winning a couple of titles with Borussia Dortmund and getting to a Champions League final. Liverpool were in a different space then, and that was a Liverpool team under Rafa Benitez that I was part of that was trying to qualify for the top four.
"The same with Jurgen Klopp when he came in. Liverpool are in a different area now and fancy themselves to challenge for the Premier League next season and the Champions League, they will be expected to reach the quarter-finals at least. I think it is a huge jump, he’s obviously a great coach and has a good track record with the clubs he has had so far, so we will see."
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