Arne Slot reacts to Jurgen Klopp chanting his name during his Anfield farewell - as new Liverpool boss reveals fans have been singing the song outside his house in the Netherlands
- The Dutchman was confirmed as Jurgen Klopp's successor at the end of May
- Slot's first game in charge of the Reds will be against Ipswich at Portman Road
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Arne Slot believes that Jurgen Klopp's decision to chant his name during the German's Anfield farewell 'says the most' about the legendary manager's character.
The Dutchman's arrival was muted long before official confirmation came from the club in May. In fact, the first 'official' statement indicating he would be the new Reds boss came from his predecessor, who led a chant on the final day of the Premier League season.
With a big grin on his face, Klopp sang: 'Arne Slot! La, la, la la! Arne Slot! La, la, la, la!'
He then said: 'When the next season starts you are not waiting to see what's going on, no you go full throttle into it. You welcome the new manager like you welcome me. You go all in from the first day.'
Slot, who spoke publicly for the first time as Liverpool manager on Wednesday, hailed the classy touch from the German and revealed the song quickly made it's way to him at his home in the Netherlands.
Arne Slot has lauded the character of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp after speaking publicly as Liverpool manager for the first time
Klopp chanted the name of his Liverpool successor during his farewell speech in May
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'Just after it happened I got a lot of text messages from people who saw this and who were sending it to me.' Slot told the said. 'This is probably one of the reasons why he is so popular over here, because of course he won the trophies but to do this for your successor.
'I don't think it has ever happened before that the fans, let alone the former manager, are singing your name before you have even arrived.
'This says the most about him and I am hoping that then fans will sing in the upcoming season again – maybe not my name but a little bit more for the players.
'But sometimes when I am in Zwolle, where I live, people pass my house and are singing this song! So, it did have an impact already!'
The Dutchman arrives at Anfield a three-year deal from Feyenoord, where he won an Eredivisie league title and Dutch Cup, and officially started work as Liverpool head coach on June 1.
He revealed that he has spent his first few weeks as head coach studying not just matches but training sessions to get a feel for the playing style and culture of his new team.
He has also already been working hard behind the scenes and is in daily contact with sporting director and fellow newcomer Richard Hughes.
Slot revealed that revealed that he has spent his first few weeks as head coach studying matches and training sessions of the former regime
'Now is a good moment to arrive here and talk to you,' said Slot. 'But let's be clear: I don't start today, I've been in a lot of contact with staff members already.
'From people who are working here to the new staff members that are coming in – and, of course, almost every day Richard and I are calling each other because we have to talk.
'This is also a very important phase for the new season, to make sure the team is ready.
On Tuesday, Slot discovered the identity of his first opponent as the Premier League fixtures for the 2024-25 campaign were released.
The Reds travel to newly-promoted Ipswich on the opening weekend ahead of home fixtures against fixtures against Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
In the midst of that run is the small matter of a trip to Old Trafford to face his compatriot Erik ten Hag and Manchester United.
Slot's first Merseyside derby is set for early December. Liverpool meet Manchester City for the first time in November and there is a tough end to the season with clashes against Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal in three of their last five games.
The 45-year-old first taste of Premier League will come away to newly-promoted Ipswich in August
His start on Merseyside has not been aided by the European Championship and Copa America, which run until the middle of July.
The Reds' pre-season tour takes them to the USA for the first time since 2019, where they will meet Arsenal, United and Real Betis on July 27.
