Arne Slot has already won his 'biggest challenge' as Liverpool manager claims John Barnes
Barnes reckons new Reds boss has already made a crucial impact after taking over from Jurgen Klopp and got over his biggest challenge
by David Craven · The MirrorLiverpool legend John Barnes reckons new boss Arne Slot has already overcome his biggest challenge at Anfield - just a dozen games into the role.
Taking over from the iconic Jurgen Klopp was always going to be a tough task for anyone. But Dutchman Slot has quickly made his mark with the Reds leading the Premier League having lost just once so far, raising confidence they could potentially finally overhaul champions Manchester City. Ex-England winger Barnes, who won two league championships and the FA Cup twice during his ten years with Liverpool, is a fan of the ex-Feyenoord chief.
“Arne Slot's biggest challenge was to get the players to buy into what he's trying to do. That is the biggest challenge for any new manager. It’s really difficult when a football club has to replace an iconic manager. We’ve seen how challenging it is at Manchester United and Arsenal.
"The new manager comes in and the fans and the players are like, ‘This is what Fergie would have done,’ and it doesn't work. Whereas the players have 100 percent bought into what he wants, and he's changed it.
"You've got Curtis Jones with Gravenberch in midfield, who would never have been the first-choice midfield players for Jurgen, and you would think with that change, it'll take time, but it hasn't. We've hit the ground running. I have to give praise to the players and praise to Jurgen for buying players with the right character.”
Barnes also reckons Liverpool are reaping the rewards of fitness-obsessed Slot’s double sessions in pre-season. He said: “I knew the players would perform, but I didn't expect them to have completely transformed the way they played and have it work in such a short space of time.
“I saw Slot’s double sessions up close on the pre-season tour of America, and that work has paid dividends because the players have adapted to his style perfectly," he said In an interview with Lucky Block. "When you talk about the strength of Liverpool and Man City, it was the midfield. Somebody talked about Henderson, Milner, Fabinho and now you talk about Curtis Jones, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
"That’s a chalk and cheese engine room, but they have seamlessly got on with things and are doing great.”
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