Having made it through their first Premier League game in almost nine years without their legendary former boss last week, it’s time to get back to Anfield.
The last time Liverpool’s famous old stadium hosted a competitive fixture, it was to wave goodbye to Klopp after a glorious period at the club.
Just over three months on, and Anfield will now give a hearty welcome to Arne Slot, the man who has filled Klopp’s enormous shoes so capably so far.
It will be a big day for Slot as he aims to build on an opening day win against Ipswich. And as the Dutchman prepares to feel his new home comforts, he has turned to Jamie Carragher for advice.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on August 23, 2024 in Kirkb...
Arne Slot asks for Jamie Carragher advice
Carragher has become one of the most visible pundits on television since retiring from playing in 2013.
The Liverpool legend is never shy to voice his opinions about the goings on at his former club and that’s something Slot will have to get used to.
At times, Carragher’s forthright views on his old team didn’t always seem to be welcomed by Klopp. However, the former centre-back is just eight months older than Slot. They played in the same era and perhaps that will help matters.
They certainly seem to have gotten off on the right foot, anyway. Earlier this week Carragher said he had some questions for Slot to answer and the two men have now sat down with each other for Sky Sports.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Brentford on Sunday, talk turned to the Anfield crowd, with Slot deferring to Carragher’s experience on that topic.
“Normally at most clubs it starts off with the players putting in a lot of workrate and being really intense and then the fans get behind it,” Slot mused.
“Sometimes you see the opposite way, that it starts with the fans and then the players come. How is that at Liverpool in your opinion?”
“I think a bit of both,” Carragher answered. “I think on the big European nights the supporters will get the players going.
“I think week in week out in the Premier League it maybe flips a little bit where maybe it’s down to the players. But I think for your first game the fans will do the job.”
“I’m hoping and expecting so!” smiles Slot. “Because of course if you come here people talk a lot about the fans and how special it is. So, really looking forward to it.”
Arne Slot ready for Anfield welcome
It should be pointed out that Sunday will not be Slot’s very first taste of Anfield. The 45-year-old oversaw Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Sevilla two weeks ago.
But although the stadium was more or less full that day, it was a pre-season crowd. That was not a true reflection of what Slot can expect moving forward.
If the former Feyenoord boss can harness the support in the stadium like Klopp always did, then he’ll have one of the biggest weapons in football on his side.
Klopp’s teams barely lost a game at Anfield across almost nine years. The place has become an absolute fortress once again.
Slot needs to replicate that starting with a win on Sunday. Anything else and he and his team will have to work a lot harder to whip the crowd up from then on.
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