Arne Slot has emerged as the preferred candidate to replace the departing Jurgen Klopp as the next Liverpool manager but who is the man that the club believe can lead them into this new era and what can they expect from this 45-year-old Dutch coach?

Gary Neville was speaking following Everton's 2-0 Premier League win over Liverpool

Gary Neville was speaking following Everton's 2-0 Premier League win over Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admits they do not deserve to win the Premier League after the unacceptable way the players have allowed the season to end.

Just over a month ago they were chasing an unprecedented but unlikely quadruple but a week after exiting Europe their Premier League title hopes were left in tatters after losing 2-0 at Everton in the 244th Merseyside derby.

Already third favourites in the title race, defeat means Jurgen Klopp’s final season is likely to end with just the Carabao Cup and Van Dijk criticised the general lack of appetite to drag things back in their favour at Goodison Park.

“Games likes these, the bare minimum is fight. We were lacking that at so many moments in games,” said the Netherlands captain.

“If you play like we did, obviously even if we create two or three clear-cut chances again, you don’t deserve to win the league.

“It’s crunch time and we’ve not been good enough in the way we finished the chances off, in the way we defended together and also the fight. I think we have to show much more.

“But we have to look in the mirror and each and every one of us has to think like… ‘Listen, you can’t accept this. You can’t accept the way we let our season end’.”

Klopp’s side look like they have been running on empty for the last month while also lacking the clinical edge which has for so long been a trademark.

Despite creating a handful of chances which they failed to take in the first half they petered out after the break in similar fashion to last week’s Europa League win over Atalanta in Bergamo when they needed to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit but managed just one goal.

Liverpool have not been playing well for a couple of months and have pulled a few results out of the fire but they have uncharacteristically crumbled at the key time.

“Obviously it’s a mix of everything. You can’t put a finger on it,” added Van Dijk.

“It’s confidence, inexperience, challenges, maybe afraid to make mistakes in this part of the season. I don’t know.

“It’s a mix but it brings us to the situation where we can’t accept this.

“We have to stick together. We can’t have groups blaming each other because that’s not how it works. It’s a team thing and I don’t blame anyone.

“I blame us as a team, as a group. Everyone has to look in the mirror. We can’t let the season end like this.”

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Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's Premier League clash with Everton on Wednesday

Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's Premier League clash with Everton on Wednesday

Virgil van Dijk says Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot’s footballing “philosophy” makes him an appropriate candidate to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Liverpool have had an opening bid for Slot rejected after making the Dutchman their preferred choice to replace Klopp — who will step down at the end of the season after nine years at the helm.

An opening offer of €9million (£7.7m, $9.6m) was knocked back, with Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes leading the negotiations with Feyenoord CEO Dennis te Kloese.

Liverpool are also in contact with Slot — who is enthusiastic at the prospect of taking over at Anfield.

Van Dijk was asked about reports linking his fellow countryman with the top job after Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday evening.

“I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment,” Van Dijk told European streaming platform, Viaplay.

He added: “I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.

“Only I think from what I read and hear is that it’s still far from being completed. We shall see.”

Wednesday’s defeat to Everton was Liverpool’s first in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park since 2010 and all-but ended their hopes of lifting a second Premier League trophy.

The 32-year-old defender said Liverpool “have no chance to win the title” if they fail to show more effort in their four remaining fixtures in Klopp’s farewell season.

“I think everyone needs to take a look in the mirror and look at their own performance if they really gave everything and if they really want to win the league,” he said.

He added: “Games likes these, the bare minimum is fight. We were lacking that at so many moments in games; small challenges, some passes that were not clear so we came into challenges that they win and they get momentum out of it.

“Now it’s time to recover and pick ourselves up again because we have to do it for ourselves, the club and the fans. It’s not only that you go out there and play your game, you have to do much more than that.”

Liverpool — second in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal — return to action against West Ham United on Saturday.

(Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)

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Virgil van Dijk says Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot’s footballing “philosophy” makes him an appropriate candidate to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Liverpool have had an opening bid for Slot rejected after making the...

Защитник и капитан «Ливерпуля» Вирджил ван Дейк высказался о главном тренере «Фейеноорда» Арне Слоте, интерес к которому проявляют мерсисайдцы.

Virgil van Dijk has added to the speculation that Arne Slot is set to take over from Jurgen Klopp, saying after the Everton match “that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

While Liverpool’s players prepared to face Everton on derby day, directors were negotiating with Feyenoord to secure Slot as Klopp’s successor.

After the match, Van Dijk was asked about his Dutch compatriot, Slot, and told Viaplay: “I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment.

“I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.”

• READ HERE: Liverpool could announce Arne Slot as new manager this week

The Liverpool captain admitted he didn’t know if a deal had yet been struck with Feyenoord, adding: “I think from what I read and hear is that it’s still far from being completed.

“We shall see. We will focus on that next season, [it is] still a long way off”

So, it sounds like Van Dijk has been kept in the loop by Liverpool to a point, before concentrating on the Merseyside Derby.

On Wednesday, the Athletic reported that the Reds had their first offer of £7.7 million rejected by Feyenoord.

It has been widely reported that it will take at least £8.5 million to release him from his contract, that has him remaining at Feyenoord for two more years.

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Since, the Mail‘s Merseyside reporters have claimed: “The situation is developing quickly and talks to bring Slot to Anfield could even be concluded before the weekend.”

Van Dijk’s form may have dropped off to some extent in recent weeks, but this season he has proven he still has plenty to give.

As captain, he will play a big role in getting the new manager’s messages across and can continue to play in a back four should Slot be appointed.

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Latest Premier League title race news following a major Liverpool setback with Michael Owen delivering a clear verdict on their chances of overtaking Manchester City and Arsenal

Latest Premier League title race news following a major Liverpool setback with Michael Owen delivering a clear verdict on their chances of overtaking Manchester City and Arsenal

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says prospective new Reds manager Arne Slot's playing philosophy could be suited to the Anfield club.

How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Everton as the Reds effectively saw their Premier League title hopes ended

How the national media reacted to Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at Everton as the Reds effectively saw their Premier League title hopes ended

Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk is criticised for a sly dig he made following his side's defeat to Everton which all but ended their title chances

Liverpool news as Virgil van Dijk is criticised for a sly dig he made following his side's defeat to Everton which all but ended their title chances

After another poor display from Mo Salah, this time in the Reds’ 2-0 defeat to Everton, some Liverpool fans decided that this summer is the time to sell him.

Salah is undoubtedly a legend, one of the greatest to ever wear the Red shirt you could say. However, his form since returning from injury has been a worry.

With just one non-penalty goal in his last seven Premier League appearances but, more importantly, consistently poor performances, some fans think he should be sold in the summer.

It is important to remember that the No. 11 was having an excellent season before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations but, at nearly 32-years-old, Liverpool will be thinking about cashing in on Salah.

If a Saudi Arabian club were to offer big money, the club and new manager may think it best to take the offer and reinvest.

Here, supporters reacted to another poor showing from Salah…

Salah is 32 in June. Just sell him now, I love him and he’s been a superstar but he’s not that guy anymore. At his age, in the PL, it’s just now gonna get better.

I’d give Nunez another year. If he turns 30 odd GA into 40 odd that’s massive and he can.

— SAM G-W (@OneSGW) April 24, 2024

People wanting rid of salah and VVD. Take a breather ffs. Was only a couple of weeks ago, we were lauding VVD for being back to us best

And Mo is Mo. Without his output we would really struggle

— We Are Liverpool (@WeAreLiv3rpool) April 25, 2024

“The inverted full-back tactics isolate Salah a lot. He has no support from Trent or whoever plays right back. When Trent plays, 90 percent of the time he’s looking to play the diagonal ball to the left winger.

“Salah’s no where near as good as he was but him not being involved or touching the ball much is down the inverted full-back tactics, in my honest opinion.” – Michael Jones in the comments.

Slot, Edwards, and Hughes need to move on Salah and Nunez. I think Diaz stays. A live threat. He and Nunez can't coexist in the same team. Impossible. New 9 needed badly. Slot will also need a monster player for the 6 position. Can't keep wasting MacAllister.

— Steve McVeigh (@Boxingscience20) April 25, 2024

It’s time for players to go.

We played some of our best football before the injured group returned, we played some of our best football when Mohamed Salah was on international duty.

That’s not a negative to Salah or the injured group but, it’s time to move on and freshen up!

— ? (@LFCApproved) April 25, 2024

Liverpool are still feeding off the signings they made back in 2017, the level of pressure on Van Dijk to lead at the back and for Salah to bail you out with a goal is off the scale…now one of those isnt doing that the team essentially looks shot.

— Dylan Jones (@dylslam24) April 25, 2024

“Time to offload Salah and Nunez. The former has been brilliant, the latter just an absolute donkey.” – Call_Saul in the comments.

I’d only sell Salah simply because of the Contract situation that’s it.

Letting him walk for free in 2025 is just stupid.

— Matt (@LegendEskimoBoy) April 25, 2024

Afcon 2024, the end of Mo Salah as we knew him.

That injury and the disappointment of not winning it was a massive hit.

Can’t believe they host that tournament mid-season all the time, makes no sense.

— ?????? (@WilcoFtbl) April 25, 2024

Salah hits the ball like a 8 year old lad these days. Zero power. Dunno what’s going on

— Graeme Kelly (@GraemeKelly1) April 24, 2024

“Salah was once a little monster physically, he used to hold off 6’5 centre backs for fun, now he barely challenges for the ball.” – dfhfdhgjm in the comments.

I fell sorry for Luis Diaz playing 3 positions because Nunez and Salah can’t be arsed. pic.twitter.com/El16ErXLa2

— Top Of The Kop (@TOTKHQ) April 24, 2024

Salah looked off it for weeks but saved his worst for tonight. So bad.

— Ian Ryan (@Ian1892T) April 24, 2024

“Salah has been a shadow of a player chasing his own shadow and having lost his confidence to the point he doesn’t attempt to dribble.” – Tim Tracey in the comments.

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Liverpool were abject in their 2-0 loss at Everton on Wednesday night, with a dreadful night dissected by two despondent Reds supporters.

Jurgen Klopp‘s men displayed the same wastefulness in front of goal and lack of intensity seen in recent weeks, on one of the worst days of the season.

Liverpool’s season has completely petered out after threatening so much and there is now a feeling that the end of the campaign can’t come soon enough.

Here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) discuss an awful night, Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah and more.

Just how bad was that for you? Is the title gone?

DAN: Dreadful and brutal just about does it justice I think.

It felt like a 90-odd-minute display of all the issues that have befallen us in recent weeks as the season has started to unravel all horrendously packed into one.

For me, the title has gone, not just because we’re relying on an unlikely miracle from our rivals, but also because I have major concerns over our ability to win the last four at this point.

HENRY: I couldn’t agree more. What a damp squib this has turned into!

I feel like I’ve seen that game about 20 times this season – slow start, sloppy losses of possession and needless fouls given away.

It was alarming just how little fight was on show – the life just looks to have been sucked out of both Jurgen and his players.

Really depressing and I’m looking forward to the summer now. The title has long gone.

Are there any individuals that you’ve lost faith in? Nunez, for example?

DAN: Lost faith might be a touch strong for me right now.

Although undoubtedly the question marks are growing in my mind with the likes of Nunez, in particular.

Whilst he clearly brings loads to the table, running as hot and as cold as he does feels a tad unsustainable unless those around are always available to pick up the slack, which hasn’t been the case.

HENRY: I’m going to be a bit more harsh than Dan!

I’ve lost patience and faith in Nunez – his finishing is nowhere near reliable enough to be Liverpool’s leading striker for years to come.

He’s 25 this year, so he’s not a kid!

I would consider getting rid of him this summer if the right offer came along – his all-round game is too messy and unpredictable.

Diaz is also too wasteful – in fairness he was the only shining light last night – and with Salah completely out of sorts, those two haven’t stepped up enough.

Is it time to sell Salah? Or is that reactionary?

DAN: I wouldn’t say it’s reactionary because overall his performances this season haven’t been spectacular to his previous standard, and for a long time, the output was covering over some below-par displays.

We are now seeing what happens when the goals and assists dry up and the performances remain poor.

In terms of his future, it would be naive not to think there will be huge discussions this summer given the fact he’s entering the final year of his contract and we all know about the strong interest from Saudi Arabia.

As with a few in the squad, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens next with an almost entirely new immediate hierarchy.

HENRY: I think Mo is just far from fully fit and short on confidence, and still has so much to offer in his career.

That being said, if a massive Saudi offer arrived, you would surely have to consider it, seeing as he turns 32 in the summer.

I can easily envisage Michael Edwards giving his exit the green light.

I would prefer him to stay and think he still has two or three years in him at a high level, but he is a shadow of himself currently.

As someone said last night, he’s started kicking the ball like an eight-year-old, which is harsh on eight-year-olds!

Finally, do you almost feel that Klopp is leaving at the right time?

DAN: Wow! I would never say Klopp is leaving at the right time because I never want him to go, but there can be no doubt that for himself it’s the right time and recent results are probably further evidence of that.

Seeing him almost crestfallen on the touchline at Goodison was horrible and he certainly has the look of a man who needs a long break from the intense pressure of the job.

Also, from a squad point of view, we’re in such a healthy place despite the question marks and there is definitely cause for optimism with what comes next.

Having said that, he has overseen darker times than this at the club and brought us out the other side, so if he was staying I’d back him to get it right without doubt.

HENRY: I’m with Dan – I don’t want him to go!

But as he says, it’s the right time to move on for Jurgen’s sake – those images of him sitting down at Goodison were hard to watch.

He has nothing left to give.

It’s now a case of just getting through these last four games, giving Jurgen the greatest send-off imaginable and then embarking on a new era.

Nobody can replace Klopp, but let’s get behind the next manager and hope he brings a freshness to proceedings.

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Liverpool suffered a damaging defeat in the Premier League on Wednesday evening, as Merseyside rivals Everton secured a 2-0 win at Goodison Park. The Reds remain in second in the table but are three points off Arsenal with four games to go.

Jürgen Klopp admits his side need Arsenal and Manchester City to suffer a crisis in the final weeks of the season to stand any chance of winning the title. Pep Guardiola's side has two games in hand, starting with the trip to Brentford on Thursday night.

Liverpool had hopes of an unprecedented quadruple but it has been a difficult month for the Reds, who now have just four matches remaining of the Klopp era. Next up is a trip to West Ham and the players must dust themselves down and end the season on a high.

READ MORE: Liverpool defensive issues broken down as seven players could do more to stop Everton opener

READ MORE: Gary Neville hits nail on head over Liverpool avoiding same problem as Man Utd and Arsenal

Off the pitch, Liverpool is working towards appointing Klopp's successor. Arne Slot has emerged as the new leading candidate to replace the German and BBC Sport reports talks are underway with his current club Feyenoord.

Here, Liverpool.com takes a scan around the Premier League and across the continent to see what's going on at Liverpool's rivals after the loss to the Toffees.

Man United plots 12 exits in mass overhaul?

Manchester United could part with as many as 12 first-team players this summer, according to The Mirror. New minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants a mass overhaul of the squad and will also look to bring in six fresh faces within the transfer window.

Ratcliffe has made his intentions clear that change is needed is needed this summer after scraping by Coventry City on penalties to reach the FA Cup final. United also looks set to miss out on the top four.

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Financial Fair Play (FFP) will limit spending, meaning player sales will be needed to fund any future incomings. Newly-appointed technical director Jason Wilcox will lead the review, which could see first-team stars such as Harry Maguire, Raphaël Varane, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof all leave.

Meanwhile, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Christian Eriksen, Antony and even home-grown talent Marcus Rashford could be sold. Sofyan Amrabat's loan deal will also not be renewed.

Liverpool.com says: While it seems dramatic, an overhaul is certainly needed at Old Trafford. United's season has been a disaster and major changes are needed. It remains to be seen if Erik ten Hag will remain in charge past this season. Improvements are needed to close the gap on Liverpool, Arsenal and City.

Newcastle leads race for Reds target?

Newcastle United is leading the race for Sporting Club de Portugal defender Ousmane Diomande, according to A Bola. Liverpool had previously been linked with the player (via Football Insider), although it is the Magpies reportedly currently in the driving seat to secure the deal.

The 20-year-old reportedly has a release clause of $85million (€80m/£68m) in his current contract, which Eddie Howe's side would look to negotiate. Diomande has not been as prominent in the Sporting CP side since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast and that could now open the door to a transfer exit this summer.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all said to be keeping tabs on Diomande. He is contracted until 2027 and is one of the lowest earners at the club, with the Portuguese giants in no rush to sell him.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool had previously been linked with the player but that may well have been down to speculation that his manager Rúben Amorim could move to Anfield. At least one central defender will be needed this summer and Diomande would be a great addition, albeit an expensive one.

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