Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has praised the club’s new head coach, Arne Slot, for his impressive start at Anfield.
The former Reds captain commended Slot’s performance, with the Dutchman’s team currently sitting at the top of the Premier League.
Since his arrival in England’s top flight, Slot’s side has secured seven victories out of their first eight matches, with their only setback being a 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest.
A recent 2-1 win over Chelsea has solidified Liverpool’s position at the top, with goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones contributing to the victory.
This win came shortly after Manchester City triumphed over Wolves, but it was Liverpool who finished the weekend in pole position.
Gerrard, who was often speculated to succeed Jürgen Klopp during his early coaching career at the academy and after his successful stint with Rangers, is currently managing Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
His team started the season strongly but has faced challenges recently, winning only one of their last five matches, which has dropped them to 9th in the standings.
In a nod to his Liverpool roots, Gerrard brought former Reds goalkeeper coach John Achterberg onto his staff this summer, following Achterberg’s departure from the club.
The 44-year-old also humorously mentioned that Al-Ettifaq adjusted their training schedule to accommodate watching Liverpool’s games under Slot’s new regime.
“He’s doing amazing, myself and John [Achterberg’ have always got one eye on it,” Steven Gerrard said on Redmen TV.
“We’ve put our schedule around the Liverpool games [but], the players are on to me now, we’ve been training at eight and nine at night.”
Slot was appointed to replace Klopp after nearly nine years on Merseyside, having left his role at Eredivisie club Feyenoord, where he achieved league and domestic cup success.
Given the history of Dutch managers facing challenges in the Premier League, doubts were raised about Slot’s credentials before he even began his tenure.
Gerrard expressed his concerns about who would take over from Klopp in the dugout but has since praised the new head coach.
He said: “The team that Jurgen put in place, the staff was so successful, what they got out of the players and how they drove them on to the success that we had, it was natural to have a bit of fear of, ‘can whoever was replacing Jurgen fill them shoes and continue to compete in every competition’?
“What I must say is that I tip my hat to Mr Slot, not just because of results but the way he come in, handled himself and presents himself in news conferences, interviews, I know how difficult that is.
“We all know the size and magnitude of the club, that was one hell of a job to fill, huge shoes to fill so I think it was not against him but he was up against it – and has handled it well.
“And the players have showed their level, in terms of the standard, so far so good.
“The schedule is about the heat up, one game at a time will be the mentality, they’re delivering on it and long may it continue.
“Hopefully at the end of the season, we can jump back and go to a couple of cup finals – that’s what we would love to do.”
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