Jurgen Klopp addressed reports that Arne Slot is in line to replace him as Liverpool manager when the German leaves Anfield at the end of the season. Klopp said he would support the appointment of the Dutchman, who is currently in charge of Feyenoord. Klopp’s immediate focus is on reviving the Reds’ flailing Premier League title push, which was a dealt a huge blow following defeat to Everton. Jurgen Klopp is “more than happy” for Arne Slot to replace him as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
Klopp is due to leave Anfield after nine memorable years in the hostseat, and gave his seal of approval for the current Feyenoord boss to take the reins on the red half of Merseyside.
The German was addressing the media in his press conference ahead of the match away at West Ham United – live on TNT Sports and discovery+. He said: “I’m not involved in the process, but I like a lot about it, if he is the one and wants to take the job.
“I like the way his team plays football. All the things I hear about him as a guy – a good guy. Some people I know, know him. I don’t know him, but some people who know him say he’s a good guy.
“I like that a lot. So good coach, good guy. Looking forward for the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I am more than happy.
“Best job in the world. Best club in the world, and it helps, obviously, with not finishing on a high, it looks like.
“Great job, great team, fantastic people. [Slot] ‘would’ be taking a really interesting job.” Klopp is hoping to end his tenure at the club with a second Premier League title, but those aspirations took a major hit following a 2-0 derby defeat to Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
The result leaves Liverpool three points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, while Manchester City sit second and two points ahead of the Reds with a game in hand.
When asked to assess the season should Liverpool miss out on the title, he replied: “I would not assess it now. I have no clue, so I am not in the mood to give up, wave the white flag kind of thing.
“I just think we have to look after ourselves; just make sure that we play better football. I said after the game ‘why should a team who play like us against Everton be champions?’ But the football we played before, a lot of good stuff. “In January, we looked invincible, with a depleted squad. Everybody went in the same direction, go for it, squeezed out results. “So, we deserve to be where we are. I want us to use the situation, don’t feel the pressure, for whatever reason it is. The boys are incredible footballers and I see it as my job to create that atmosphere where they can be the best versions of themselves – and that’s obviously how I have failed.
“I don’t know how it happened, but I didn’t see anything of what I wanted us to be in the Everton game.”