Arne Slot admired Liverpool so much that he would show clips of Jurgen Klopp’s side to his Feyenoord squad.
That is according to one of his former players, who claims the Dutchman used the Reds as an example of what it takes to play at the highest level
Klopp famously ended the club’s 30-year wait for a top-division title and returned them to Europe’s elite
Not only that, but he also reinvigorated their style of play, making Liverpool one of the most attractive sides to watch
It seems his successor is intent on carrying on his legacy
Colorado Rapids star Cole Bassett, who played under Slot at Feyenoord, has revealed how the new Anfield boss would often show clips of Liverpool in preparation for matches.
Bassett
“He [Slot] introduced quite a few things to me and made me understand football a lot better,”
“I’ve seen little things his teams have done, and I know what it takes to play at a top level. The funny thing is, he used to show us clips of Liverpool all the time.
“Liverpool were the one team he used to emphasise to us that if we wanted to play at the top level, then this is what you had to do.
“And now he’s ended up there, so I think it’s pretty special for him.”
Given his obvious admiration for Liverpool, it is perhaps no real shock that the feeling was mutual. “I wasn’t surprised he’s ended up at a big club like Liverpool
Bassett continues.
“I never knew whether Liverpool was his team or anything but it’s funny looking back at it now.
“He would show clips of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz sprinting back defensively, and he’d be like ‘if you want to be at a top club, this is what you have to do.’
“It’s not like we didn’t have wingers who weren’t top players. We had Reiss Nelson and Luis Sinisterra, who are both now in the Premier League, but he was like ‘if you want to be at this level, watch what they’re doing, and this is what I expect of you.’
“Maybe Liverpool was one of the teams he aspired to be at, but it’s pretty funny he’s ended up there after showing us so many clips of them.”
Bassett admits.
“I thought he was going to go to Spurs last year.
“But I’m glad he maybe waited it out a bit, and now he’s got an even bigger club per se with his move.
“It’s tough that he’s coming in after what Klopp he did there, but I’m curious to see how he does. I think he’ll do really well. But we’ll see how that goes.”
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