Arne Slot signs three-year deal as Liverpool manager and identifies four key players to build vision

Arne Slot signs three-year deal as Liverpool manager and identifies four key players to build vision

Former Feyenoord manager has prioritised tying down four pivotal players for Liverpool, plus nine quotes that show what makes him tick

Arne Slot will look to unlock the full potential of striker Darwin Núñez and target contract extensions for three key players to propel Liverpool to more silverware.

The 45-year-old former Feyenoord coach has signed a three-year contract at Anfield after convincing the club hierarchy he is the man to replace Jürgen Klopp.

Speaking to Feyenoord’s website, Slot said: “It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people.

“But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.”

The move for Slot came following a critical spring meeting with Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes held in the Dutch city of Zwolle.

It was there, following months of due diligence, where Slot persuaded club owners Fenway Sports Group they had found the right man to build on Klopp’s legacy.

Slot not only vowed to build on Klopp’s foundations, he identified young players such as striker Núñez as critical to moving the team forward. While the Uruguayan has been widely criticised for his rawness in front of goal, Slot noted his extraordinary attributes and name-checked him as one of the many players he is excited to work with.

Salah posted on social media following confirmation of Slot’s arrival, where he appeared to hint at staying at Anfield.

“We know that trophies are what count and we will do everything possible to make that happen next season,” Salah said. “Our fans deserve it and we will fight like hell.”

It remains to be seen if mega bids from the Saudi Arabian Pro League alter the situation in the coming months – Liverpool understand how fluid circumstances are in the transfer market – but they have vowed to go into the new season even stronger to build on their third-place finish.

Confirmation of Slot’s impending arrival was delayed so as not to overshadow Klopp’s grand farewell on Sunday. Klopp did not get the memo when he urged the Kop to chant Slot’s name in his goodbye speech.

Now Liverpool and Feyenoord have jointly issued a formal announcement.

Slot has brought his first pre-season training sessions forward by a week – the squad will reconvene in the first week of July – so he can begin acclimatising to his new environment. Those representing their country at Euro 2024 and Copa America will return later, depending on how far they progress in the tournament.

A thorough recruitment process led to the former AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord coach becoming the preferred candidate.

Liverpool sources are adamant Slot rapidly became the No 1 choice of Hughes and Fenway Sports Group chief executive Michael Edwards. The process sped up after it was known former Liverpool midfielder and Kop favourite Xabi Alonso was out of the running, Hughes and Edwards already knew the Bayer Leverkusen manager was not a possibility when they were appointed in March.