And just like that, it was over. Following three months of speculations and conjecture, Liverpool have opted to choose Arne Slot as their new manager.
In the end, things moved extremely rapidly after Slot emerged as the new front-runner early this week.
Ruben Amorim, for example, never made an appearance after that. FSG clearly saw the Feyenoord coach as the best candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
There hasn’t been an official announcement yet, but that’s a formality. With a few members of Slot’s coaching staff on their way to Liverpool, the Reds are expected to follow the Dutch club’s lead in terms of when they go public.
Meanwhile, reactions from the football community will continue to stream in. And for the first time, we’ve heard how the Liverpool first-team squad has reacted to the major news.
Liverpool squad offers Arne Slot response.
The Liverpool players now find themselves in an unusual scenario. With Klopp still in charge for four more games, they’ll want to focus on ending his reign in the greatest way possible.
However, it is natural for them to anticipate what follows next. More than one player’s immediate future hangs in the balance, and the new manager will have an impact on how things play out.
Some may have expected a somewhat greater name to follow Jurgen and been disappointed by Slot.
Virgil van Dijk knows Sipke Hulshoff, Feyenoord’s assistant manager who is likely to follow his boss to Anfield.
According to journalist Lewis Steele on X, the Reds squad is ‘delighted’ with Slot’s impending arrival.
“Couple of sources close to dressing room say Liverpool squad are delighted with Arne Slot’s impending appointment,” according to Steele. “But for the time being, I’m completely focused on finishing the season and the Jurgen Klopp era on a good note. Sure, Virgil van Dijk will say more about it tomorrow [Saturday].
Who can gain from Arne Slot’s appointment?
As with any new managerial appointment, there will be winners and losers in the Liverpool squad. We’ve already looked at three players who could see their fortunes improve with Slot.
One of them will undoubtedly be Ryan Gravenberch. Gravenberch, like Van Dijk, knows Hulshoff from his time with the Netherlands national team.
Hopefully, having a coaching staff made up entirely of people from his native country will assist the 21-year-old understand what is being said.
The same goes for Cody Gakpo, who has shown some much-needed signs of life in recent weeks. Gakpo, who became a parent in midweek, appears to be ready for the next step in his career. Slot can help him realize his full potential.
Beyond that, Slot will undoubtedly benefit others as well. For some, however, Klopp’s fatherly management may be coming to an abrupt end.
