Gary Neville has been most impressed by Arne Slot‘s ability to get the most of the players he inherited at Liverpool as they close on the Premier League title. The Dutchman has defied the doubters with the Reds on the cusp of being champions.
He had the unenviable task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp but has made light work of it, working almost entirely with the squad he inherited after a quiet summer in the transfer window. He has taken a team that finished third last season to the summit of the top flight.
And whilst he inherited the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, Neville believes it has been the improvement in the other players that has been Slot’s biggest success. The likes of Cody Gakpo and, particularly, Ryan Gravenberch have excelled this season.
They were signed by Klopp but by no means tore up trees and their spots in the starting XI were anything but regular. This year however they’ve exceeded expectations and become major influences with Liverpool remaining consistent whilst their rivals have faltered.
He said on his podcast: “People will say they’re [Van Dijk and Salah] great, even world-class players, but they can be upset and put off if they’re not with the right type of manager, so he [Arne Slot] has done brilliantly with those players.
“But the players I would classify as being 6/10 players he’s made 7/10 players, that’s the most impressive thing for me, the likes of Gravenberch and Gakpo, I gave Mac Allister Man of the Match today, but I easily could have given it to Gravenberch. He’s done a brilliant job.”
Neville didn’t even back Liverpool to make the top four before the season began, adamant they would endure a drop off post-Klopp. He backed Manchester United to finish ahead of them but has been left with egg on his face as the two teams have had differing fortunes.
The Sky Sports pundit has admitted that Slot’s work in the dugout has been among the best managerial displays he’s seen, citing the way in which he’s managed the transition from the Klopp era.
He said: “Over a season the coaching performance of Arne Slot has been one of the best performances I’ve seen. I say that in light of taking over who he took over from, one of the great personalities we’ve seen and a Liverpool icon. Going into that dressing room and having to establish control and authority, but knowing he couldn’t do it like Klopp.”
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