Arne Slot's fines system has been revealed as the new Liverpool manager prepares to take on Ipswich Town in his first competitive game in charge of the Reds.
Liverpool will travel to Suffolk for the first time since 2002 when it takes on the Premier League newboys in its first fixture of the 2023-24 top flight campaign, with Slot eager to get off to the best possible start with a win.
But ahead of Saturday lunchtime's showdown at Portman Road, one of Slot's former players has revealed the fines system the Dutchman has in place for those who step out of line or break certain rules during their time at the club.
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This is a very common practice used at Premier League sides nowadays, with many managers using it as a form of discipline and to keep players on the right path. It can often include fines for being late to training, or perhaps using phones during team meetings, etc.
Jurgen Klopp even used his own version, whereby he'd allow players to decide on the punishment for anyone adjudged to have broken the rules. According to James Milner , it involved a big inflatable dice and holding a mock court case.
Slot's methods are to be slightly different, according to Colorado Rapids star Cole Bassett, who played under the Dutchman at Feyenoord. “Every team has a few people who step out of line,” he told the Mirror . “It’s natural, we’re human beings.
"There’s a line with him [Slot], but he didn’t want to make too big a deal out of anything to the point where it affected the team or performances, and everybody started talking about it in the media. He deals with it internally so it never gets out and you can move on and focus on team things.
"Sometimes players do things and coaches go out in the media and make a big deal with it, and then the focus isn’t on the team for the game. I think he did well when we did have issues to keep it internal. Everyone makes mistakes and then you move on with it.”
According to Bassett, Slot will only operate a system of fines for more general indiscretions, such as being late to training or missing the team bus. However, he can take a more unique approach to individual cases in order to both teach a lesson and foster team unity.
“There was a time when we had an international break and the guys who didn’t get called into their national teams were able to go away for three or four days. One player didn’t come back on time for training on the Monday. Arne did well to sort it out. The player got fined and he had to take us out to a team dinner."
Slot certainly doesn't seem like the type of man to throw his players under the bus and it can be expected that any internal matters will be strictly kept under wraps this season.
Another key takeaway is that instead of fining his players or dropping them, perhaps, he would rather turn their punishment into a positive for the rest of the team, such as going out for a meal and creating a bonding experience for the group - small margins that could help to create team spirit and success this season.
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