Liverpool finally unveiled Arne Slot to the media yesterday, as he took questions for the first time at the AXA Training Centre. More than eight years on, there were some differences compared to Jurgen Klopp's maiden press conference .
For one thing, the venue was different. Klopp spoke to the media from Anfield , as Liverpool judged that the usual Melwood media room would not be enough to meet the heaving demand.
The AXA had not even been built when Klopp arrived. Slot was able to conduct his media duties from the state-of-the-art facility FSG has constructed, which comfortably held the assembled journalists.
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That's one tangible sign of the huge progress that has been made at the club since Klopp first entered in 2015. And there was a noticeably different tone to Slot's answers as a result.
When Klopp came, there was an overwhelming feeling of hopefulness. After the title push in 2013/14, Liverpool had receded into mediocrity, and the unexpected arrival of a charismatic German with a booming laugh and massive grin was the lift the club needed.
His introduction came with soundbite after soundbite, as the journalists practically ate out of his hand. His rallying cry of "doubters to believers" would go on to define his entire Liverpool tenure, while his famous "Normal One" quip is so iconic that Slot even referenced it in his own introduction.
"It's special what Jurgen did to this club," said Slot. "When he arrived, he said he was the "normal one" but what made him special was the impression he left behind, winning trophies and his playing style — the fans loved it. Maybe he said he was the normal one but I think the fans saw him differently. What he did for the club was more than normal."
Whereas Klopp needed to come in and inject enthusiasm, Slot's primary goal is to maintain and build on what is already there. He correctly gauged this shift in mood, and articulated the privilege of taking over from someone like Klopp, without banging the drum for change.
Yet there were some similarities too. Slot talked about the need to understand the city and the fans in order to understand the club, and he did not shy away from a desire to win trophies — Klopp himself said upon his arrival that he was confident the Reds could have "at least one title" after four years, should he last that long.
And both were unafraid to show some of their personality. Slot diplomatically avoided certain questions, declining to name the best positions of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Cody Gakpo , but playfully inquired of one journalist where he had been told (incorrectly) that his Feyenoord side had played 4-2-3-1.
All in all, in their own ways, both Slot and Klopp gave Liverpool fans a taste of what's to come at their opening press conferences. But the club is barely recognizable from when the German arrived, and the new man hit a different note as a result.
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