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Liverpool are understood to have opened negotiations over Feyenoord manager Arne Slot and a European football expert has given his verdict on how Slot would fit in at Anfield

Liverpool are understood to have opened negotiations over Feyenoord manager Arne Slot and a European football expert has given his verdict on how Slot would fit in at Anfield

With Liverpool looking to appoint Feyenoord boss Arne Slot as the new Liverpool manager, plenty of fans have been asking how you pronounce the Dutchman’s name?

Slot is from eastern Holland and has spent his whole career in the Netherlands so far. With Liverpool approaching the 45-year-old to take over, many are wanting to pronounce his name properly.

In his native Dutch, Arne Slot is pronounced ‘Arn-uh Slot’.

Think about how you would say ex-Liverpool an Norway international John Arne Riise’s name. Arne is pronounced in the same way.

Though Slot is generally just said in the same way in English and Dutch, there are regional variations that you might hear that vary the sound.

Slot’s career

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PA Media outlined how he has reached the top of Dutch football…

Former midfielder Slot, 45, spent his playing career in the Netherlands with Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam and Breda.

After moving into coaching roles at Cambuur and then AZ Alkmaar, Slot stepped up into the manager’s job with the latter for the 2019–20 season, which was interrupted by the Covid pandemic. AZ finished second behind Ajax on goal difference in the shortened campaign.

Slot left for Feyenoord in December 2020, succeeding Dick Advocaat, and brought former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Robin van Persie onto his staff.

In May 2022, Feyenoord reached the first Europa Conference League final, losing to Roma, and finished third in the Eredivisie.

Slot’s second season at De Kuip saw Feyenoord win the Eredivisie title – the first for the club since 2017. Earlier this month, Feyenoord beat NEC Nijmegen to lift the 2024 KNVB Cup.

Slot in Europe

No matter who eventually takes over as Liverpool’s new manager, they will be expected to be able to deliver more memorable European nights at Anfield.

Slot would bring plenty of that experience with him. While at AZ, Slot took his side into the Europa League – where they played Manchester United in 2019. After moving to Feyenoord, Slot guided the club to the Europa Conference League final in May 2022.

Eredivisie success brought with it a crack at the Champions League for 2023–24. Despite beating Celtic and Lazio in their group, the Dutch side did not qualify for the knockout stage and then lost out to Roma in the Europa League play-off round.

Attacking style of play

Slot has grown into an attack-minded coach, also with an eye on bringing through talent – plenty of which would await in Liverpool’s youth ranks.

Feyenoord – who sit second behind Eredivisie rivals PSV Eindhoven this season – also press high, winning plenty of tackles in the opposition’s final third, and are comfortable in different formations, whether that is with one up top or a fluid 4-3-3.

Slot was linked with a switch to Tottenham last summer, but the Liverpool job is expected to prove too good an opportunity for the ambitious Dutch coach to pass up.

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Швейцарский полузащитник «Рубина» Дарко Йевтич сравнил вингера «Наполи» Хвичу Кварацхелию с нападающим «Ливерпуля» Мохамедом Салахом.

With Arne Slot now favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp as the new Liverpool FC manager, we looked at the four key criteria used by the Reds to find the next boss.

Arne Slot has become the latest figure to be linked to the Liverpool job, with widespread reports that Liverpool have opened talks with his current club, Feyenoord, to agree a compensation fee.

Slot, 45, along with the others touted for the role, all have certain skills in common.

Pieter Zwart, who is editor-in-chief at Dutch football magazine Voetbal International, wrote about Liverpool looking for four characteristics in particular, and we looked at how Slot fits in to those.

1. Able to work on a budget and develop players

As Liverpool continue to compete against state-funded clubs like Man City and Newcastle, being able to elevate a team through good coaching is a vital skill the new manager must have.

During his time at Feyenoord, he has actually had a positive net spend, with the club often utilising loans, meaning Slot has to work with a large turnover of players.

Against PSV and Ajax who have bigger budgets, he won last season’s Eredivisie title and recently won this year’s Dutch Cup.

As AZ Alkmaar manager, on an even smaller budget, he had a potential league title taken away when the 2019/20 season was curtailed due to coronavirus while his team were joint-top with Ajax.

In the title-winning Feyenoord squad, key defender David Hancko was signed for just €8.3 million, midfielder Mats Wieffer for €575,000, and striker Santiago Gimenez cost just €6 million.

2. Playing style

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Slot tends to play a 4-2-3-1 but doesn’t stick to the formation religiously.

His style was described to the i as “high-energy attacking football in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with two deep-lying midfielders and a reliance on wingers to create chances.”

As per the Coaches Voice, Slot doesn’t “overcommit to the high press,” with his teams “comfortable dropping into a more reserved block” if the opportunity to win the ball back is not there.

This varies slightly from Klopp who rarely sees his team sit deep to soak up pressure.

In 2022, Slot told UEFA: “When we don’t have the ball, we want to win it back as quickly as possible by being aggressive and pressing to win back possession. I think we are a team that is difficult to beat.”

Sounds familiar!

3. Using the current squad

Something that may have edged Liverpool in the direction of Slot over Ruben Amorim, is the fact that the Portuguese manager would potentially have to act more in the transfer market to ensure the squad suits his three-at-the-back system.

While Xabi Alonso and Amorim have similar attacking principles to Klopp, Slot sticking with a definite four in defence allows for a smoother transition.

Like Klopp, Slot also likes to use an inverted right-back and a wider left back, which would suit Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold well.

4. Character and personality

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Liverpool managers need to be good communicators and have a strong relationship with supporters. Also, modern football often requires managers to be sympathetic towards their players, a trait Slot shares with Klopp.

“He can be angry with his players, of course,” Dennis van Eersel, of Dutch national TV channel RTV, explained. “But he also puts his arm around them. They like him because he’s built a harmony at the club.”

The Dutchman, unsurprisingly, already has a good grasp of English and appears to be charismatic, open and at times humorous to the media and supporters.

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Peter Smith tells the Football Show Everton may need just one more point to secure Premier League survival.  

Antony is not the first player to feel the effects of an ill-judged celebration. Just ask these players

Швейцарский полузащитник «Рубина» Дарко Йевтич высказался о нападающем «Ливерпуля» Мохамеде Салахе, с которым он вместе играл в «Базеле».

Steve Finnan went about his business during five years at Anfield with the minimum of fuss but his dependability and consistency was hugely appreciated by his team-mates and coaches if not always the wider football-watching public

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Liverpool have started talks with Feyenoord over making their head coach Arne Slot the new manager at Anfield

Liverpool have started talks with Feyenoord over making their head coach Arne Slot the new manager at Anfield

Бывший форвард «Спартака» и «Тоттенхэма» Роман Павлюченко дал прогноз на матч английской Премьер-лиги «Эвертон» — «Ливерпуль».

Four points and games in hand divide title-tussling Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City - but what are the clubs' chances of claiming the crown?

Arsenal extended their lead at the Premier League summit with an emphatic 5-0 win over Chelsea on Tuesday, having reclaimed top spot with a 2-0 win over Wolves at the weekend.

Liverpool, who have one game in hand over Arsenal, beat Fulham 3-1 on Sunday to keep pace, while City, who have two games in hand over the Gunners, thrashed Luton 5-1 last time out.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola's juggernauts, therefore, have the title in their hands: six successive wins would guarantee an unprecedented, fourth consecutive league title. However, one wayward result could flip fortunes.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool's win against Fulham in the Premier League.

The top three have been tussling since Christmas after Spurs and Aston Villa dropped out of the top three. You can hit play on the interactive table below to see how the table has changed throughout the campaign.

If things do go to the wire with points, Arsenal currently lead the battle for goal difference by some distance with +56, followed by Manchester City (+44) and Liverpool (+43).

Wednesday 24th April 7:00pm Kick off 8:00pm

The next chapter of the title race sees Liverpool face Everton at Goodison live on Sky Sports on Wednesday before City travel to Brighton under the Sky cameras on Thursday.

Thursday 25th April 7:30pm Kick off 8:00pm

As it stands, Arsenal are the form side among the challengers with an average return of 2.4 points per game over their previous five league outings, compared to City (2.2) and Liverpool (2.0).

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So, how do the teams' title chances fare?

ARSENAL

Reasons to be optimistic

Arsenal suffered a dip over the festive period, losing three in five games, but have bounced back to almost perfect levels since with 12 wins and one draw from 14 games - with an aggregate scoreline of 45-6.

Additionally, the best defence usually wins titles and the Gunners have that this season.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded just 26 goals this season - six fewer than other team. Meanwhile, their expected goals conceded tally is equally impressive at just 24.41 - 6.41 fewer than any other team.

Additionally, Arsenal have kept a table-topping 16 clean sheets - six more than any other team.

As a result, David Raya has shipped just 0.75 goals per 90 minutes on average this term, which, factoring stoppers that have clocked 810 minutes or more, is the best ratio across England's top four leagues.

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Reasons to be cautious

Arsenal's players do not have the same level of trophy-winning experience as their rivals. Additionally, last season's capitulation hangs over them. Having surrendered such a healthy lead over City, when it felt like they might never get a better chance, they now have much to prove.

Live: SNF

LIVERPOOL

Reasons to be optimistic

In terms of form, Liverpool have been the most consistent throughout the campaign - never dropping points in more than two consecutive Premier League games.

Reasons to be cautious

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Crystal Palace's win against Liverpool in the Premier League

They have conceded only 32 goals but the underlying numbers show they give their opponents far better chances than their rivals, with 39.30 expected goals against (xGa) given up so far, compared to Arsenal's 24.41 and City's 30.82.

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MAN CITY

Reasons to be optimistic

City drew three in a row from mid-November before losing 1-0 at Aston Villa. However, Guardiola's side are now unbeaten in normal time since December 6 as they look to see out the campaign in customary, dominant form.

Guardiola's players know exactly what it takes to get over the line as they chase an unprecedented fourth consecutive title triumph.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester City’s win against Luton in the Premier League

Their strength in depth is unrivalled, allowing them to plough on even without players of the calibre of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland earlier in the season.

Reasons to be cautious

The fact no side has won four league titles in a row is the main one. Amid stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal, can they maintain the level required for a fourth consecutive season? There is a reason it has never been done before.

The other glimmer of hope for their rivals is they look more defensively vulnerable than in previous campaigns. Having shipped 32 goals in 32 games, they are conceding close to their highest rate under Guardiola, almost on a par with the 2016/17 campaign, when they finished third.

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The graphic below shows each team's upcoming Premier League fixtures, but which side has the easiest schedule?

The colours represent the difficulty of each opponent, based on the current league position.

Liverpool's average opponent ranks 8.8 in the table, which is slightly tougher than Arsenal's (10.3) and Manchester City's (10.5) run-in.

Predicted table

City are favourites to win the title with a 56 per cent chance, according to Opta's supercomputer. Arsenal's chances have jumped from 22 per cent to 31 per cent after their win against Chelsea, while Liverpool are now the underdogs at 16 per cent.

So, City's chances of retaining their crown is now almost a 50/50 flip.

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Four points and games in hand divide title-tussling Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City - but what are the clubs' chances of claiming the crown?

Liverpool have now opened talks with Feyenoord over a compensation deal for manager Arne Slot, who is leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp.

Slot has emerged as favourite to take over as Liverpool head coach at the end of the season, following interest in Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi.

The story around the 45-year-old is moving fast, with it believed that Slot is open to the move and had scored highly in the club’s data-led research.

Now, widespread sources, including the Times‘ Paul Joyce, report that talks have begun with Feyenoord to agree compensation over the Dutchman’s proposed switch.

Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy explains that “sources in Holland indicate the process could move quickly,” with Slot “keen” to join.

It was previously reported that a fee of around £8.6 million would be enough to secure his services, which is unlikely to be a deterrent for Liverpool.

The Athletic‘s David Ornstein adds that the club have “prioritised discretion” towards Feyenoord, with reports of their interest not emerging until after the KNVB Cup final on Sunday – which the Rotterdam club won 1-0.

Ornstein claims that Liverpool will “continue to assess other candidates,” which could include Amorim and De Zerbi, but that appears highly unlikely at this stage.

All signs point to Slot being successor to Jurgen Klopp, which shows the club’s faith in the former PEC Zwolle midfielder.

Slot’s entire career, as a player and a coach, has been spent in the Netherlands, but there will be a belief that he is capable of stepping up to the Premier League.

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Liverpool have had an opening offer for Arne Slot rejected after making the Feyenoord head coach their preferred choice to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

The Anfield club’s pursuit of Slot did not emerge until earlier this week as they prioritised discretion and a desire to show Feyenoord respect before Sunday’s Dutch Cup final, which they won.

That approach is sure to be maintained as Liverpool enter negotiations with the 2023 Eredivisie champions and their highly-regarded CEO Dennis te Kloese with the club knocking back an opening offer of €9million (£7.7m, $9.6m).

Liverpool are also in contact with Slot, who is enthusiastic about the possibility of moving to Merseyside.

The club are conducting a thorough process and will continue to assess other candidates, although Slot is the focus of their attention at present having emerged as the leading contender.

Klopp announced in January he would be leaving the club at the end of the season after nine years.

Slot helped guide Feyenoord to just a second Eredivisie title in 20 years last season and has the side second in the table at present.

Liverpool started the head coach search back in November with Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes now leading the process.

Slot’s attacking style of play and track record of developing young talent match the criteria set out by the club with Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim among those also considered.

Slot, who turned down Tottenham Hotspur last year, has no release clause in his current contract that runs until 2026.

GO DEEPER

Arne Slot: A champion with Feyenoord and now a leading contender for Liverpool

(Maurice Van Steen/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

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Liverpool have made Arne Slot their preferred choice to succeed Jurgen Klopp when the manager leaves this summer and have opened talks with Feyenoord. The Anfield club’s pursuit of Slot did not emerge until earlier this week as they prioritised discretion and a desire to show Feyenoord respect...

Jürgen Klopp takes charge of his final Merseyside derby as Liverpool manager tonight, with Liverpool needing a win to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. The Reds got back to winning ways by beating Fulham on Sunday.

Arsenal responded by thrashing Chelsea 5-0 and now sits three points clear, holding a better goal difference over Liverpool and Manchester City. It means the Reds cannot afford to drop points at Goodison Park.

Everton picked up a much-needed win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, albeit in controversial circumstances. Sean Dyche's side sit 16th in the Premier League table, five clear of the relegation zone.

READ MORE: Four players who should definitely start for Liverpool against Everton amid five injuries

READ MORE: Liverpool injury latest and return dates before Everton as Jürgen Klopp gives Diogo Jota update

Liverpool won the reverse fixture at Anfield back in October with Mohamed Salah scoring twice for the Reds. Klopp will be eager to continue his impressive derby record, having lost just one of 18 matches against Everton.

Here, Liverpool.com has picked out all of the information that you need to know, including the kick-off time, TV details, highlights and early team news ahead of the derby showdown.

What time is kick-off and is the match on TV?

The match kicks off at 8pm UK time. There is no early start for US supporters but you may have to try and sneak a glimpse at your phone while at work. Those fans on the East Coast have a 3pm start, with a midday kick-off for the West Coast.

Yes, the match is being shown live on TV. For viewers in the UK, the game can be seen on Sky Sports. US viewers will need to tune in to Peacock to watch the action from Goodison Park.

How else can I follow the game?

We believe that Liverpool.com is the best place to follow the match. Our dedicated team of writers will share their thoughts on social media during the course of the Merseyside derby. We will be with you right on the whistle with analysis, player ratings and much more.

Elsewhere, LFCTV offers pre-match build-up and then live blow-by-blow audio commentary. UK fans can also listen to the game on BBC Radio 5Live and talkSPORT.

Where can I catch the highlights?

We will be getting our first pieces out straight away after the final whistle, and then there's plenty more to come. All of the key talking points will be covered, alongside reaction from Liverpool players and Jürgen Klopp.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports will post a highlights package shortly after full-time. It will also be posting clips on social media throughout the match. You can catch the post-match press conferences on the Blood Red YouTube channel.

Early team news

Liverpool has been hit with an injury blow ahead of the clash, with Diogo Jota ruled out. The Portuguese scored on his return to the starting line-up after injury at Fulham but is set to be out for two weeks.

Conor Bradley remains sidelined with an ankle problem while young midfielder Stefan Bajčetić stepped up his rehab by featuring for the Under-21s this week. Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip are out, with both out of contract at the end of the season.

Everton striker Beto will miss the derby after he was taken off on a stretcher against Nottingham Forest. He was taken to hospital for checks and the concussion protocol means he is not available. Dominic Calvert-Lewin should be fit but defenders Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson will not feature.

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