Former Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes that one of Jurgen Klopp’s last gestures at the club has played a huge role in Arne Slot’s successful start to life at Anfield.
Klopp departed Liverpool at the end of last season, finishing third in his last season at the club.
Slot, who has since taken over, has enjoyed a very impressive first four months at Anfield. Under the Dutchman’s guidance, Liverpool have won 16 out of the 18 games they played in all competitions.
Those wins have resulted in the Reds sitting top of the Premier League and Champions League tables and with a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Very few expected Slot to do so well at Liverpool, especially as he spent very little strengthening his squad in the last transfer window.
Skrtel, who played 320 times for Liverpool, believes that Jurgen Klopp played a part in Slot’s successful start to his Liverpool career.
What Martin Skrtel said
Speaking about Slot and his impressive start at Liverpool, Skrtel made reference to Klopp singing Arne Slot’s name at Anfield as a key moment, underlining that it effectively eased the pressure on the Dutchman and endeared him to fans.
“What was important for him, right from the very start, was the reception from the fans,” Skrtel said (via the Mirror).
“You know, when you look back at the end of last season when Jurgen Klopp started to sing his name with the fans – that was a huge moment, for me, because it meant the fans were on his side from the very first day.”
The former Slovakia international also praised Slot and how he has started at Liverpool, highlighting his ability to improve players as a key reason for his success.
“I’m so impressed with him and with the team and how they’ve adapted to his style,” he continued.
“I don’t think many people would’ve expected to have been in this situation in the league after just 12 games, so of course I’m happy with how things are going. Right now, things are going great… after Jurgen Klopp left in the summer, people didn’t know how things were going to go or what to expect from Arne Slot – especially after the transfer window in the summer, where the club wasn’t as active as people may have liked.
“But what I really like about Arne is that he’s always played down any questions about transfers and stressed it’s not his job to talk about transfers; his job is to improve the current squad, and that’s exactly what he’s done, so far.
“He’s changed the style, he’s changed the formation, and he’s changed the tactics, and up to this point, it’s worked. Some players have grown massively under him, and talking as both a Liverpool fan and ex-player, I’ve got to say I really like this style of play.
“Eight points clear, at this stage, is incredible, but there are still so many games to play, and we’re approaching a really difficult Christmas period – we’ve just got to hope we’re in a really strong place after Christmas, in terms of injuries. But if things continue going in this current direction, this could be a great season for us.”
Slot and his Liverpool side will look to continue their 100% winning rate in the Champions League when they face Real Madrid on Wednesday night. After playing Madrid, the Reds face Premier League defending champions Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
