Arne Slot is under even more pressure after what Jurgen Klopp has just done at Liverpool - opinion
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Arne Slot may have been the only person associated with Liverpool who was not filled with delight at the sight of Jurgen Klopp being back at the club this weekend.The iconic former Reds boss was in town to help Kenny Dalglish manage the Liverpool Legends on Saturday, and immediately showed why he is still so loved on Merseyside.All weekend, Klopp was doing the rounds, giving interviews and meeting people who were clearly made up to see him again. Rate Arne Slot’s second season as Liverpool head coach Can anyone make a serious argument for higher than a C? 😶 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine With so much pressure currently falling on Slot to improve Liverpool‘s fortunes or face the sack, the Dutchman will have felt the heat turn up another notch as Reds fans were reminded just how good they used to have it.Klopp reminds supporters of how it should beIt should be said that times were not always perfect under Klopp and he did have his own season or two of struggle, but through it all, the former Liverpool manager remained a magnetic force of personality.The Liverpool foundation released a video of Klopp meeting and greeting people on his return on Saturday afternoon, and it will be a challenge for any supporter to watch it without grinning from ear to ear.Now so used to Slot’s ice cool, slightly impersonable approach, fans had perhaps forgotten just how full of energy and enthusiasm Klopp always was.
Slot showed more passion recently during Liverpool’s crucial Champions League clash with Galatasaray, but with Klopp temporarily on the scene again, he needs to ramp this up again to get fans back onside.Klopp comparisons could be Slot’s undoingIt is never really a good idea for a football club to get too hung up on its past. You only have to look at what’s happened to Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left to know that.And while Liverpool fans scoffed at Darren Fletcher for admitting that he sought his former manager’s permission when taking interim charge at Old Trafford earlier this season, there is a danger that they are doing the same with Klopp.
At full-time, he even pulled out his trademark fist bumps in front of the Kop, something which, again, will have brought big smiles to every Liverpool fan’s face.Nobody is expecting this from Slot, and he has had success by doing things his own way. But as supporters clamour for his head, the timing of Klopp’s return could hardly have been worse for the beleaguered Liverpool head coach.Jurgen did not do anything wrong, of course, but by simply being himself he has underlined exactly what Liverpool have been missing since he left.