Liverpool are getting closer to bringing in Arne Slot as the replacement to Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds have been scouring Europe for the most suitable candidate to take over from Klopp’s legendary legacy this summer.
And after Slot emerged as the leading contender on Tuesday, things are now starting to move quickly. Liverpool have already reportedly had an opening bid for the 45-year-old turned down by Feyenoord.
Things aren’t expected to prove problematic though, and it would now be a surprise if anyone other than Slot took over at Anfield.
As Liverpool have kept their cards close to their chest throughout their manager search, it has been difficult to ascertain whether Slot was their first choice. Thankfully, journalist Adam Crafton has now attempted to clear that up.
Feyenoord shocked by Arne Slot approach
In the days and weeks immediately after Klopp announced his intention to leave back in January, Xabi Alonso was the man most expected to be brought in.
However, after Alonso ruled himself out of the running in March, Ruben Amorim took over as the most likely candidate.
In the end though, it looks like neither will be hired, with Slot almost coming from nowhere to lead. Speaking to The Athletic FC Podcast, Crafton has assessed Liverpool’s interest in all three managers.
“I think everyone knew that Liverpool wanted Xabi Alonso,” says the journalist. “I don’t think anyone is denying that that would have been something Liverpool would have loved to do. I think the Ruben Amorim one is slightly different, I think there was some interest but not as much interest as was perhaps conveyed in Portugal at certain times.
“With Arne Slot I think this has come as a shock to Feyenoord. From conversations I’ve been having, I don’t get the impression that three or four weeks ago they were expecting to lose their manager to Liverpool. It may just be that Liverpool have been working their way through a list of people, speaking to a lot of different candidates. Or it may just be that actually before making Feyenoord aware of anything they wanted to have some conversations with Slot or his representatives or do all the necessary background checks before really formalising it.
“Because once you go public, or at least they’ve made it pretty clear to journalists that they’d like to take Arne Slot, they’ve made an opening offer.”
Who was Liverpool’s first choice
Crafton’s suggestion here is that Alonso would have been the dream hire for Liverpool. It isn’t hard to determine why that would be.
However, Crafton’s Athletic colleague David Ornstein has been consistent in his reporting that the Reds have not been afraid to make a ‘brave’ hire.
That would possibly suggest that they were always looking at somebody like Slot right from the start. Once the dust settles on the appointment, perhaps this will become clearer.
For now though, Liverpool fans are getting used to the idea of Slot being their new manager. As Dirk Kuyt has said, it’s an exciting time.
Of course, it would have been tremendous to see Alonso back at Anfield, but it wasn’t to be. Let’s all get behind Arne instead.
