Arne Slot targets four players Liverpool must keep to build his vision for the future

The 45-year-old Feyenoord coach secured the coveted position of replacing Jürgen Klopp following a critical spring meeting with Liverpool executives held in the Dutch city of Zwolle.

It was there, after months of due diligence, where a delegation including new Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was persuaded they had found the right man to build on Klopp’s legacy.

Slot (pictured) not only vowed to build on Klopp’s foundations, he identified young players such as striker Darwin Nunz as critical to moving the team forward. While the Uruguayan has been criticised for his rawness in front of goal, Slot noted his extraordinary attributes and name-checked him as one of the many players he is excited to work with.

Liverpool are also planning for the future with skipper Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold fundamental to Slot’s debut campaign. Contract talks with the trio are a priority as the club is determined to retain a healthy balance between experience and youth, believing the squad Klopp has left won’t need extensive surgery.

It remains to be seen if mega bids from the Saudi Arabian Pro League alter the situation – Liverpool understand how fluid circumstances are in the transfer market – but they have vowed to go into the new season even stronger to build on their third-place finish.

Confirmation of Slot’s impending arrival was delayed so as not to overshadow Klopp’s grand farewell. Klopp did not get the memo when he urged the Kop to chant Slot’s name in his goodbye speech. Now Liverpool and Feyenoord have jointly issued a formal announcement.

Slot has brought his first pre-season training sessions forward by a week – the squad will reconvene in the first week of July – so he can begin acclimatising to his new environment. Those representing their country at Euro 2024 and Copa America will return later, depending on how far they progress in the tournament.

A thorough recruitment process led to the former AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord coach becoming the preferred candidate. Liverpool sources are adamant Slot became the No 1 choice of Hughes and Fenway Sports Group chief executive Michael Edwards.

The process sped up after it was known former Liverpool midfielder and Kop favourite Xabi Alonso was out of the running, Hughes and Edwards already knew Alonso was not possible when they were appointed in March.

Anfield chiefs looked to their data department and prepared forensic reports and character assessments on those coaches of most interest.

Slot and Sporting Lisbon’s Rubin Amorim emerged favourably on the metrics early on. However, it was Slot who shot to the top of the list when further reference material was collected.

Liverpool’s data model assessed Slot’s coaching skills based on players’ performances before they worked under him, during their spell under his management, and how many fared when they were no longer benefiting from his skills.

Slot’s capacity for improving footballers struck a chord, as did the overwhelmingly positive appraisals of his personality. By the time of the first formal meeting in Holland, Liverpool believed they were closing in on the ideal candidate. Slot’s impressive performance in what amounted to a job interview sealed the deal.

Liverpool know they cannot directly replace Klopp, but their intention was always to find someone who shared his philosophy and would maintain the same culture in and around the training ground. (© Telegraph Media Group Ltd, 2024)