Graeme Souness has warned Arne Slot that it will not be easy to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The former player and manager has told the new head coach that he currently lacks the resources to compete at a higher level than his predecessor . Klopp was at the helm at Anfield for almost nine years, leaving Slot with a daunting task.
But the former Feyenoord boss got off to a winning start in the Premier League , defeating Ipswich 2-0. However, tougher tests lie ahead. And Souness doubts whether Slot will be able to foster greater staying power than that which the squad showed last season.
Liverpool ultimately finished third in Klopp's final campaign. It had been in the running for a quadruple until deep into 2024, but the season eventually fizzled out after the Carabao Cup triumph was secured.
As Souness points out, Liverpool is yet to strengthen the squad since then. That makes it difficult for Slot to even match a legendary manager like Klopp, let alone go one better.
“I think Arne Slot still needs to strengthen in certain areas because if Klopp couldn’t do it with the same group of players, then are they going to finish any better than third? I don’t think so," Souness told William Hill.
“Last season I thought the next manager after Klopp was walking into the dream situation, I don’t think it’s as dreamy anymore. They didn’t put their foot to the floor last season when it really mattered and they had a Premier League title to win with 10 games to go. The job is still great and Slot will walk into a dressing room full of energy with life in it, but it’s not quite as dreamy as it was."
In fact, Slot doesn't even have the same group of players as Klopp anymore. The previous manager called upon Bobby Clark at times last season, but his departure was made official today.
There is still time for some incoming business before the transfer window shuts. But if Liverpool fails to make any meaningful additions — the advancing deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili will not see him come to Anfield until at least 2025 — then it's no slight on Slot to suggest he will have an uphill battle even matching Klopp's achievements from last season.
Liverpool.com says: It's a tough reality check from Souness, but he's not far wrong. Liverpool does need to strengthen in what is left of the window.
However, it's not impossible that Slot could improve on Klopp's third-placed finish with much the same squad. The German is forever a legend at Anfield, but even he conceded that the players might benefit from a tactical shake-up after so long, and the early signs under the new coach are promising.
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