Arne Slot has received a nod from Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk to succeed Jurgen Klopp as the new Reds’ coach.
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SLOT GETS VAN DIJK NOD TO SUCCEED KLOPP AS REDS COACH
Slot gets the nod from van Dijk, who says the current Feyenoord manager “could be a Liverpool coach.”
“(But) I think Arne Slot might be one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment,” van Dijk told Viaplay.
“I think the way he plays and the philosophy he has that he could be a Liverpool coach. We will see. Next year we will focus on that,” he added.
Slot emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, sources told ESPN.
Liverpool recently opened talks with Feyenoord to strike a deal to land Slot.
SLOT LIVERPOOL’S STRONG CHOICE AFTER XABI STAYS AT BAYER LEVERKUSEN
Slot became Liverpool’s strong choice after Xabi Alonso decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Reds have cooled off in their interest in Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorin.
Meanwhile, Xavi Hernandez also decided to stay as Barcelona manager at the end of the season.
Liverpool hierarchy, led by chief executive officer Billy Hogan and former sporting director Michael Edwards, are convinced Slot fits the club’s criteria for the manager position.
Slot signed a new three-year contract with Feyenoord after rejecting advances from Premier League squads Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur last year.
Chelsea also expressed interest in the 45-year-old Dutchman at the time.
VAN DIJK DISAPPOINTED, URGES TEAMMATES TO ‘LOOK IN THE MIRROR’
Van Dijk, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with the team after Liverpool absorbed a 0-2 loss to Everton that hurt their Premier League title chances.
“I’m very disappointed in many ways. I think everyone has to look in the mirror and look at their own performance,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports.
“It’s a tough one. We have to do much better against a side that’s playing against relegation,” he added.
The Reds captain cited the team’s need not to waste Liverpool’s opportunity to compete for the title.
“It sounds simple but it starts with the fight and starts with the will to win your challenges and be confident in scoring a goal,” van Dijk said.
