When Presidents and Prime Ministers depart workplace, it is custom to go away a observe to their successor.
However when Jurgen Klopp left Anfield in the summertime he left one thing a complete lot higher than simply phrases of encouragement to Arne Slot.
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The Reds have appeared remodeled beneath the Dutchman, regardless of just one summer time signing – the injured Federico Chiesa.
He is needed to take care of loads of different accidents too, with star goalkeeper Alisson out, whereas Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez have missed not less than one match.
There was even additional unhealthy information this week as beginning centre-back Ibrahima Konate – hailed as the perfect defender within the Premier League by Arsenal legend Martin Keown – has been dominated out probably till the New 12 months.
And but Liverpool sit prime of the Premier League desk, eight factors away from title holders Man Metropolis after simply 12 video games performed.
Slot’s fast and efficient implementation of his personal concepts has left many impressed, with a title cost nicely and really on.
And Liverpool legend John Barnes reckons Slot will probably be thanking Klopp for the perspective he cultivated in his tenure that has led to the present group instantly shopping for into new techniques on the pitch.
He instructed talkSPORT: “I used to be with them in America for pre-season as a result of I am a membership ambassador, so I’m going round with the staff primarily doing sponsor work and stuff.
“However in America, I used to be talking to the gamers they usually purchased into what he [Slot] desires to do and it is completely different to Jurgen Klopp.
“So subsequently it is the character of the gamers.
“We noticed when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, it is the identical gamers, when Arsene Wenger left, the gamers will all the time drop a degree when an iconic supervisor leaves.
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“[For players] the query is, who’re [fans] going to boo if we lose?
“And so long as the reply is [they’re] gonna boo the supervisor relatively than the gamers, the gamers subconsciously absolve themselves of duty.
“We have seen it with groups previously the place the identical staff and new supervisor is available in.
“However the greatest testomony of what Jurgen Klopp has carried out is the character of the gamers that he is left behind, which implies that they purchased into what Arnie Slot desires.”
A victory in midweek over Actual Madrid within the Champions League – with younger right-back Conor Bradley an exciting star of the present – has seen followers’ perception within the staff develop additional nonetheless.
Nevertheless, their subsequent check is about to be the most important of all of them.
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An off form Man Metropolis are subsequent up at Anfield and on a six-game winless run.
However Liverpool have been warned by former Premier League star Troy Deeney that it might be an ideal storm for an upset, with the defending champions going into the showdown as underdogs.
“I feel Metropolis are going to be higher organised,” Deeney instructed talkSPORT.com.
“I feel that is the proper recreation for them. I do know that is a bizarre factor to say.
“However Liverpool simply beat Actual Madrid, so their followers are expectant. However that is the primary time Man Metropolis have been underdogs in a recreation for the betting corporations. So everyone seems to be writing them off.
“I feel they are going to be extra collectively, extra strong. I can see them nicking it, 2-1.”
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Deeney added: “Folks have been telling me right this moment, Arsenal are extra favourites to win the league than Man Metropolis, and Man Metropolis are second. I do not know what is going on on.
“They usually nonetheless have the perfect striker on this planet, proper? I am confused.”