Don't compare Slot with Klopp!

According to insiders, Arne Slot has a very similar view of football to Juergen Klopp and this is an important reason why Liverpool chose the Dutch coach to replace the German tactician in the coaching chair. More specifically, in the "digital" era, nothing is more convincing than showing statistics, especially statistics related to attacking football. Feyenoord (the team that Slot is coaching) wins the ball back in the final third of the pitch more than any other team in the top 5 European national championships. Liverpool is the second team after Feyenoord in this statistic. The average distance of Feyenoord's ball regains in open situations is 45.2 m from their own goal. Liverpool is 44.6 m. Feyenoord's average ball possession rate in the Eredivisie (Dutch National Championship) is 62%, Liverpool in the Premier League is 61%...

In general, people look at the above figures and assume that the similarity in playing style will result in Liverpool not having many changes when Slot comes to Anfield to replace Klopp. Instead of recruiting massively to suit the new coach's perspective, Liverpool will have a continuity in the work that Klopp left behind, and Slot takes over. The playing style between the senior team and the youth teams at Liverpool will have a similarity, like in Klopp's time. The important thing is not really which style of play Liverpool wants to aim for. The similarity in football perspective and the fact that there is not much change will help Liverpool stabilize its finances, to put it bluntly, not having to spend money on buying players like Man.City, MU or Chelsea do.

Of course, what has just been said is just theory. The gap between theory and reality is obvious to anyone who watches football. In a team as rich in titles, glory, and illustrious traditions as Liverpool, coach Juergen Klopp himself is one of the most unique legends in history. One thing is certain: he is an irreplaceable character. Of course, there will be a series of coaches coming and going (there have already been predictions, even bets, about Liverpool firing Arne Slot, even before this character officially became the coach at Anfield).

Waiting for Klopp's replacement to bring Liverpool all the titles, including the Premier League and Champions League, is impossible and should not be done. Liverpool fans have the right to wait. But the club's owners at Fenway Sports Group need to soberly face the obvious reality: Slot, or any other coach, cannot be "Klopp 2.0". The starting point is: Slot should not be compared to Klopp. Any similarity is... meaningless, if that similarity does not lead to the results that Klopp has brought to Liverpool. Hiring a replacement for Klopp is just a must, that's all.

Source link