Liverpool is going to be just as competitive with Arne Slot as head coach as they were under Jurgen Klopp , according to both Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta .
When Klopp suddenly announced he would leave Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, rival fans began to celebrate and supporters of the Reds began to fear the unknown. Liverpool enjoyed a golden era under Klopp, as the German led the Reds to their first league title in 30 years while adding a sixth Champions League trophy to their collection.
Slot was hired on a three-year deal after leaving Feyenoord, and after a shock 1-0 defeat to Preston in a behind-closed-doors exhibition, Liverpool headed on its U.S. preseason tour. Despite missing some key players the Reds were flawless in the U.S. as they beat Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United.
While it was only preseason, Arteta and Ten Hag got their first taste of what Liverpool may be like under Slot and both coaches were very complimentary in their assessments. After Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-1 in Philadelphia, Arteta said: "They (Liverpool) are a team that are looking good, that is clear, with ideas they are looking to implement.
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"Every coach has their touch and characteristics that make the team's style of play. You can see what he (Slot) is doing." Arteta was then asked if he thought Liverpool would succeed under Slot and the Arsenal coach replied: "I think so. We all have to start competing and earning our right to show how good we are.
"But the team’s looking good. With the games I’ve seen in preseason, it’s clear what he’s been trying to implement. It was a tough game for us."
Slot played midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai in a deeper role while letting Harvey Elliott roam freely in the middle of the field, and he assisted both Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho in the 2-1 win. Kai Havertz pulled one back for Arsenal, but Liverpool was solid at the back and secured a comfortable victory.
Liverpool then flew to South Carolina and faced United three days later, handing their arch-rivals a brutal 3-0 defeat following goals from Carvalho, Curtis Jones , and Kostas Tsimikas. Liverpool's preseason has been a complete contrast to United's, with the Red Devils struggling to control games and also suffering three injuries that could impact the start of the new season.
"There were mixed feelings, I would say," Ten Hag told his club’s media after the 3-0 loss. "I think I have seen positive bits, but the way we concede goals, we are, of course, not happy with it.
"Of course, Liverpool are a very good side. They are very aggressive, and they have lots of goalscoring abilities, so they did very well. But the way we conceded, we are not happy with it."
Preseason is often deceptive, as the games are used as a fitness exercise while certain tactics are tested ahead of the new season. However, Slot certainly earned the respect of his rival head coaches during a successful tour of the U.S.
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