Arne Slot acknowledges that it’s up to him and his Liverpool squad to forge a relationship as strong as the one they shared with Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutch manager admitted that, naturally, he doesn’t yet have the same connection with the players that Klopp did, given the German’s near nine-year tenure at Anfield.
However, Slot remains confident that such bonds will develop over time.
Despite Klopp’s departure, none of his key players have sought a move away from the club.
In fact, the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have publicly praised Slot’s tactical approach and playing style.
Still, Arne Slot understands that the squad’s attachment to Klopp is stronger at the moment.
He said: “If you take over from a manager, normally you take over from someone who has worked there for two or three years.
“This was such a long time, so successful, you can’t expect that in four weeks you have the same relationship as Jurgen had in nine years.
“But then it is all up to [us to] work together, get to know each other and try to get performances in.
“If that happens, your relationship with every player will grow.
“I have no doubt their relationship with Jurgen is stronger because they had so long together.
“But it is up to us to create the same relationship, we started quite well but there is a lot to prove.”
Salah and Van Dijk are both in the final years of their contracts and have expressed a desire to remain at Anfield.
The Dutchman added: “For me it is not that important what they say in the media about whether they like it or buy in or not, it is important how they play.
“Both of them have shown – Mo even longer as he had a full pre-season and Virgil from when he came back – some really strong performances.”
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