FSG make Arne Slot decision as Liverpool boss knows what he must do
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Two years ago this week, as Jurgen Klopp approached his final weeks at Anfield, Liverpool was gearing up to welcome in the Arne Slot era.An agreement reached with Feyenoord, which was announced publicly on April 26, 2024, set in motion the final details between the clubs as Slot waited for confirmation that his dream transfer would materialize."It seems clear to me that I would like to work there," the Dutchman said at the time. I believe that Feyenoord will let me join Liverpool as it would be a massive step for me."READ MORE: How many points Liverpool needs to qualify for Champions League after win over Crystal PalaceREAD MORE: Liverpool faces Xabi Alonso dilemma as Chelsea's shortlist emergesWithin a month, Klopp was chanting the name of his successor on the Anfield pitch as the German bade farewell on an emotional afternoon before more than 60,000 supporters.It was an unconventional manner for a club of Liverpool's stature to effectively confirm their new manager's appointment, but it was executed in an almost characteristic style from Klopp, who, by that stage, was amusingly abandoning the script and doing as he wished.Within 12 months of news that they had secured the deal with Feyenoord to bring Slot in as their new manager, the Reds were celebrating one of their most memorable days at Anfield as they were crowned champions of England for a 20th time.
More red collar than black tie, according to those fortunate enough to have been present.From the very beginning, Slot demonstrated an exceptional grasp of man-management, developing the right players at the right moment to take the formidable squad inherited from Klopp to an entirely new level.Arne Slot with Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan, sporting director Richard Hughes and owner John Henry after the Premier League title was sealed, one year ago today(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)At the time, it appeared that Slot was poised to join the celebrated ranks of managerial brilliance so revered on the Kop.April 27 last year marked the beginning of a summer-long celebration across Merseyside. It has always represented the absolute minimum for a club that has seemingly factored its participation in Europe's most lucrative competition into its financial planning.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk shares Mohamed Salah fitness hope as Liverpool awaits injury scan resultsREAD MORE: Giovanni van Bronckhorst stance on Liverpool exit as Arne Slot coach targeted for roleSlot will cite no shortage of reasons why his team has fallen short of the standards they set this time last year, but at a club of Liverpool's stature, explanations can swiftly begin to resemble excuses.
Injuries have undoubtedly taken their toll at times, yet while the likes of Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and strike duo Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have suffered considerable misfortune, the casualty list has never descended to the almost farcical levels witnessed in previous seasons.Slot's principal concern, in truth, has been a shortage of squad depth at a club that was perhaps too eager to offload its fringe players last summer.Slot has consistently maintained that Liverpool will not retain players against their will, meaning those who sought an exit — Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Luis Diaz among them — were duly released. It appears increasingly probable that certain first-team regulars may find their futures scrutinized in order to finance the next phase of the rebuild.Slot may point to injury misfortune — the suspected hamstring issue casting a shadow over Mohamed Salah's final weeks at Anfield being a prime example — yet the absentee list has never been remarkable for a club of Liverpool's stature.