Arne Slot looks set to become the next Liverpool manager.

Not an early front-runner, he has nonetheless clearly emerged as the preferred candidate for Michael Edwards following Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Everyone’s been caught scrambling to a certain extent to work out exactly why Liverpool’s data wizards have thrown up the name of Slot as the one to replace Jürgen Klopp.



The Portuguese coach’s preference for three at the back would have been a major departure for Liverpool, and one that was not appealing.

Sander Westerveld’s theory on why Arne Slot has not been announced yet	Arne Slot ‘will make it at Liverpool’ – the view from Feyenoord and Rotterdam	Arne Slot weighs-up Premier League tip from PSV chief: “That’s good advice but…”

READ MORE: Liverpool has already been sent Alexander Isak transfer warning amid Darwin Núñez questions

READ MORE: Liverpool could have four transfer targets to match Arne Slot's obsession

There are clear benefits to keeping a broadly similar philosophy in place.

Klopp has earned his reputation for giving young talent a chance, but Liverpool has also made that possible through its clear commitment to forging a pathway, ensuring youngsters can step off the conveyor belt into a side that does not look too dissimilar to the ones in which they have been playing.

The construction of the AXA Training Centre tied into much the same themes.

Liverpool’s owners FSG committed $62m (£50m/€58m) to the project, which brought the youth and senior teams physically closer together.

If Slot keeps a broadly similar style in place, the steady stream of young talent should not be stemmed too much.

Trying to be a clone would be a major mistake — but if he can innovate within a broadly similar tactical framework, he could just be the perfect man for Liverpool, from top to bottom.