Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Arne Slot has inherited an incredible gift at Anfield

John Barnes has praised Arne Slot for being gifted an incredible squad of characters following his appointment as Liverpool’s coach this summer.

The Dutchman stepped in as Jurgen Klopp’s successor after the German’s whirlwind nine-year tenure at Anfield, filled with remarkable achievements.

Under Klopp, Liverpool clinched their first Premier League title in the 2019/20 season, alongside two League Cups, an FA Cup, and a Champions League trophy.

It seems Klopp’s influence continues to resonate, as Slot has already experienced early success in the new Premier League season.

Liverpool kicked off the 2024/25 campaign with a solid 2-0 victory away from home, followed by a convincing win against Brentford at Anfield.

A fierce clash with Manchester United followed, where Liverpool triumphed 3-0 at Old Trafford in a dominant display.

However, Slot faced his first defeat of the season against Nottingham Forest after the international break.

This setback proved to be a minor hiccup, as Liverpool quickly rebounded with a 3-1 win in the Champions League against AC Milan, followed by another emphatic 3-0 victory over Bournemouth.

Barnes attributes much of Slot’s early successes to the strong character of the players Klopp signed during his tenure at the club.

“Not only has he made a good start, I was with him in pre-season in America and even in America – just sort of going around the plane with all the analysts that we had on the plane, and they’re now having a new way of playing,” John Barnes said on The Rest Is Football podcast.

“Playing around Ryan Gravenberch as a number six, it’s a bit like playing [Andrea] Pirlo in a number six.

“A different type of player but more attacking, more comfortable on the ball rather than a strong defensive-midfield player.

“So therefore, the players have bought into what he’s trying to do.

“Plus the fact that we’ve still got on the counter attack, and in transition, pace and power up front.

“So we’re playing off a slower build-up, many more passes from the back, but in transition, when we have to go forward. And the players have bought into it.

“We’ve seen when Fergie left, we’ve seen when [Arsene] Wenger left, we’ve seen when [Jose] Mourinho left big clubs, who clubs don’t do as well because the players relax – the big man has gone.

“Liverpool players haven’t done that.

“The Liverpool players that Jurgen Klopp signed were good characters enough to know ‘Oh you’re not here any more but we have to respect the club, the traditions, the fans and the new manager – we do what you say’ because it’s a completely different way of playing.

“And they haven’t thrown their dummy out the pram, and it suits players more like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones – these ball players, whereas Jurgen’s midfield had Fabinho, [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson.

“They’re now free ball-playing midfielders so they’re better in possession, but they still have that transition going forward so it’s happy days.”

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