April 27th 2024.
It has been announced that Arne Slot will be the next manager for Liverpool, but former manager Graeme Souness has some words of caution for him. Inheriting an "issue" with star player Mohamed Salah could prove to be a challenge for Slot as he takes over the reins at Anfield this summer. Salah has been struggling with his form in recent weeks, with only one goal in his last six games for the team. On top of that, he was involved in a heated exchange with current manager Jurgen Klopp during their match against West Ham over the weekend.
Souness expressed his concern about this situation in his column for MailOnline, stating that Liverpool's season has taken a downturn that he did not see coming. He believed the team was in a strong position when Klopp announced his departure, but recent events have shown vulnerabilities and weaknesses that were previously unseen. The title is now out of reach for Liverpool, and Souness believes this could pose an immediate problem for Slot as he steps into his new role.
The former manager also touched on the potential transfer saga surrounding Salah. He suggested that there may have been an agreement for him to stay at Liverpool for another year before moving on to Saudi Arabia, but now with his drop in form and focus, it may be better for the team to let him go. Souness believes that dealing with this situation will be enough for Slot to handle without adding a transfer saga to his plate.
The incident with Salah and Klopp on the sidelines has also raised some eyebrows, with many wondering what could have caused such a heated exchange between the two. Souness believes this could be a sign of Salah's focus being elsewhere and not fully committed to the team. He also pointed out that Slot may have to address this issue if it is not resolved before he takes over as manager.
Souness also drew attention to Erik ten Hag's unsuccessful season with Manchester United as an example of the potential pitfalls for a manager coming from the Dutch league. Ten Hag had put his trust in players who were successful in the Eredivisie, but have not been able to replicate that success in the Premier League. Souness listed several players who were highly regarded in the Dutch league but have struggled in England, and he hopes that Slot will not make similar mistakes with his team selection.
In conclusion, while Souness has some concerns about Slot's inexperience and the league he is coming from, he believes that with the right approach, he could be a successful manager at Liverpool. Only time will tell if Slot can overcome these challenges and lead the team to success in the future.
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