Arne Slot makes Jurgen Klopp promise as Liverpool boss sets Mohamed Salah target

Arne Slot has confidently claimed that Liverpool fans will come to adore him due to his team’s playing style rather than his theatrical sideline antics. The Dutchman steps into Jurgen Klopp’s boots with a markedly different touchline demeanour; calm and collected, rather than the exuberant fist-pumping that became synonymous with Klopp’s rapport with the Anfield faithful.

Slot’s philosophy revolves around letting the team express themselves on the pitch, leading to fan admiration based on performance rather than post-match gestures. Slot remarked: “My way of doing things is to let the team play in the best possible way and (the fans) enjoy the team playing and in that way they will hopefully admire, is that the word you use, or I will get a bond with them.”

Steering clear from dramatic displays of passion after a match, Slot underscored: “But don’t expect me to go after the game and make fist pumps. That is not going to be my style. So it is more, let the team play in a certain way and they like the team and because of that they will like the manager as well.”

Klopp’s memorable clashes with referees are part of the club’s recent history, but Slot indicates less volatility in his approach, while still acknowledging the occasional frustration with officiating: “I wouldn’t say I lost it but sometimes you have some frustrations and nine out of ten times in the life of a manager it comes from referees decisions.”

“But, no, that sometimes happens but I’ve not lost in a way where people are saying what is he doing? The only thing I can do is help the team before and during the game and then afterwards, the boys have done so much work that they will be there to thank the fans. I might be there but I will never be in front of them, always behind them.”

Slot has also discussed his objective of allowing Mohamed Salah to get even better by improving the team around him. Salah made a goal-scoring start to the new season against Ipswich Town last weekend and will be hungry to challenge Erling Haaland for this season’s Golden Boot.

“It’s my firm belief that you don’t improve individuals, you improve the team and because of that individuals improve,” said Slot. “So if Mo and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] or Mo and Conor [Bradley] play better together, or Mo has a better understanding and timing with Dom [Szoboszlai], then the end result is you will say Mo has become better.

“But I think it’s about team structure, working on a daily basis to improve them, and of course we as a staff show individuals what timing they can do better or where they can run or when they have to defend. But improving an individual nine out of ten times happens by improving the team.”