Via Liverpool.com
Arne Slot appears to have settled in well at Anfield during the first three weeks of pre-season training and there is optimism in the air ahead of the new campaign.
While there was a minor hiccup in the training ground friendly defeat to Preston North End
the Reds responded well with a comfortable victory over Real Betis on Friday in the first of three games in the United States.
But it appears that results elsewhere may have set the standard for Slot already this summer.
While all eyes have generally been on the Reds in action across the pond, some may have wandered to the Portuguese capital over the past 24 hours.
That's because on Sunday, Slot's former side Feyenoord was hammered 5-0 by Benfica at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon
When Slot was awarded the Liverpool job earlier this year, it's believed that his attacking style of play and ability to develop players were key factors in the final decision for the Anfield hierarchy.
In the past two seasons, Slot guided Feyenoord to the Eredivise title in 2022-23, before bowing out with a second-place finish in the last campaign - along with the KNVB Cup.
He also oversaw the sales of Marco Senesi to Bournemouth, Tyrell Malacia to Manchester United, Luis Sinisterra to Leeds United during his time at the club
Former Denmark international Brian Priske is the clubs new manager following Slot's departure for Anfield
While the club won their first three pre-season friendlies of the summer against Dutch second-tier side Dordrecht and Belgian duo Genk and Cercle Brugge, the wheels certainly came off against Benfica
The 5-0 defeat was a crushing blow to Feyenoord's pre-season preparations
While it may only be a pre-season friendly and shouldn't be read into too much, perhaps Slot's departure may already be having an effect on the players.
Of course, we won't be able to tell just how major Slot's absence at Feyenoord will be once the season has begun
but Liverpool fans may be keeping an extra close eye on the Dutch outfit's next few games to see whether any more similar results
Slot impressed enough at Feyenoord to be chosen as Klopp's successor and although two games in charge of the Reds isn't enough to go off just yet, the impact his departure may have already had at his former club is.
Comments