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Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez has shared an Andy Slot story that should be appreciated by Liverpool fans.

The Mexican striker has been in outstanding form since joining the Rotterdam team last season.

The 23-year-old is an integral cog in how Slot wants to play and has put the Eindhoven side on his back at times this campaign.

He has scored a total of 49 goals in 86 games for the Eredivisie side, it’s fair to say that he has been a hit at Feyenoord and one player we believe Liverpool should enter the race for.

However, the second half of his 2023/24 season (after the European winter break), the Mexican only scored five goals.

This is a stark difference from the 17 he netted prior to the festive break.

And sitting down with ‘Kick ‘t Met’ by Ziggo Sport (via Sport Witness), the forward revealed that it could have been the result of his own poor decision making despite Arne Slot’s kindness.

What did Santiago Gimenez say about Arne Slot?

Attempting to reason and accommodate for the poor form relative to his earlier showings this season, Gimenez revealed he had little rest during the summer and just one week in the winter:

“Yes, I can say that.

My vacation was during the winter break, I had one week.

That was all I had,” explained the 23-year-old, who also acknowledged that it would be more of the same with the Copa America coming this summer.

“It’s part of the game, and I decided to live this life.”

Last year, he declined an extended break offered by Arne Slot:

“I’m a player who doesn’t want to lose.

I remember last season.”

“Arne Slot said two weeks before the end of the season that I could go on holiday because otherwise I wouldn’t have a holiday.

” 

With the growing concerns around fixture congestion and player welfare, it’s good to know that Arne Slot is aware of the fatigue his players are under.

The new Champions League format will only make matters worse, and the increase in international tournaments like the Nations League have done little to help either.

Dirk Kuyt gives his blessing

If you are not yet convinced on Slot, former Anfield favourite Dirk Kuyt spoke in glowing terms of the Feyenoord boss last month:

“He’s a manager who likes to help younger coaches like me and it says a lot about the type of person he is that he’s willing to share his thoughts and vision so openly,” the ex-Liverpool man said – having shadowed Slot for a week around this time last year.

“The timing was perfect as it was just before Feyenoord became Dutch champions.”

“Watching his training sessions was so interesting in terms of the drills and how he prepares his team.”

“Arne loves the game and thinks about football 24/7.”

“That passion shines through when he speaks?

He’s always studying other teams and thinking about how his team can improve and evolve.” 

Read More:

Get to know Arne Slot: “I don’t often sit next to bald people who have even thicker heads than I do”

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