Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has endorsed Arne Slot for “instant success at Liverpool,” anticipating the Dutchman to be a hit with the Anfield faithful.
Despite the challenging challenge of taking over for legendary Reds manager Jurgen Klopp, Slot has made a strong start.
Liverpool has defeated Brentford and Ipswich Town in their opening two Premier League games of the year without giving up a goal.
When they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, it will be a tougher challenge, but Meulensteen is certain that Slot will remain unaffected and keep up the fine effort he has already demonstrated.
‘I can see Arne Slot being an instant success at Liverpool, I like his style a lot,’ said Meulensteen, who was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League betting.
‘From what I know of him, the times I’ve spoken to him and what I’ve seen of him at Feyenoord, he brought them back from being a big name but a poor club to being a big club who won the league, the cup and also did well in Europe.
‘He has a very distinctive style. He’s very clear in what he wants to do. He is very much following on from Jurgen Klopp and I don’t think you will see too many differences other than a few tweaks. He’s a very good communicator.
‘It’s very hard to follow in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp because of his charisma and the relationship he had with the fans and everybody else at the club, but Arne Slot is a very good appointment in that respect.
‘I think a lot of fans will very, very quickly take a liking to him because of the way that he conducts himself, and also the way he wants Liverpool to play.
‘If he can hit the ground running he could be an instant success. Yes, he doesn’t know the Premier League as such because he hasn’t really worked here but I’m sure he’s got people around him that can help him with that. I think he will do well.’
Slot agrees with Meulensteen that he is continuing the work of Klopp, not looking to overhaul everything the German did at Anfield.
‘Compliments to the players for how they came back and, like I have said, we haven’t changed much compared to the former regime, so it is not so difficult for them to start playing again,’ he said. ‘That was a very positive thing.’