Arne Slot has transformed three Liverpool players Klopp tipped for stardom

Arne Slot has done a lot with what he inherited in a short period of time, with his work best exemplified through three examples.

Arne Slot has transformed three Liverpool players Jurgen Klopp tipped for stardom

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After the defeat to Nottingham Forest, many declared Arne Slot’s Liverpool honeymoon over. It turns out it was just a rainy day and that actually, this period might not be a mere honeymoon at all but rather the signs of a long-lasting compatible marriage.

As far as transitions go, Slot’s has been relatively seamless. Nine wins, six clean sheets and 23 goals in 10 games across all competitions is terrific.

Jurgen Klopp also only lost one of his first 10 fixtures but could only muster six wins - albeit did not have the advantage of pre-season. But if there was ever a clear omen of Slot’s mission to build on the foundations laid by Klopp, this depicts it wonderfully.

Liverpool go into the international break top of the Premier League table having conceded just twice in seven outings. The expected absence of Alisson may test the best defensive record in the league but Liverpool arguably have the strongest goalkeeping one-two in England.

Caoimhin Kelleher proved his mettle during Alisson’s periods on the touchline last season and notably stepped up a gear in his reliability. Slot has enacted the same growth in three players in particular since his arrival.

The first, and most obvious, is Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman played a full Premier League game, start to finish, just once last season. He’s not missed a single minute in regulation time so far this time around amid markedly improved form.

His rapid rise is best shown by the fact he played the entirety of both Netherlands matches against Bosnia and Germany in September having failed to get off the bench once at Euro 2024. The 22-year-old has arguably been Liverpool’s most influential player so far, so much so that the number six issue has been relegated to the back burner.

“His first touch is incredible, how strong he is in tight spaces. He’s not even halfway where he can be, but it’s really promising,” Klopp said of Gravenberch almost exactly a year ago.

The German gave similar appraisals for two other teammates. He described Ibrahima Konate’s potential as “outstanding” and later hailed Cody Gakpo as having a “really bright future”.

It’s not heretical to argue that neither reached their ceiling under Klopp, but even the man himself might admit that this wasn’t necessarily going to happen within his timeframe at the club. Only now are the 25-year-olds touching their first years of career prime.

Fears over a lack of depth in required quality at centre-back have been quelled by Konate’s form. While not perfect, the Frenchman has taken great strides in the short time under Slot and there is little doubt that the head coach sees him as Virgil van Dijk’s primary partner.

He has very much taken it upon himself to claim that status given it was Jarell Quansah who started the opening match against Ipswich Town. Konate replaced him at half-time and hasn’t looked back since.

As for Gakpo, fans can now class him as a winger who can play as a centre-forward rather than vice versa. It was always puzzling that the attacker was played more often as a central forward by Klopp.

Gakpo had registered nine goals and 12 assists in 14 league games - and 30 goal contributions in 24 overall outings - solely as a left winger for PSV Eindhoven in the half-season before he joined Liverpool in January 2023. He was only used as a centre-forward by his country at the 2022 World Cup out of necessity due to injuries.

Slot has flicked the positional switch this summer after Gakpo's stints on the flank at Euro 2024 and the result is that he looks a far more dangerous asset when rotated in for Luis Diaz. Further goals and assists (of which he has two apiece right now) will inevitably come with time.

These three examples best boast the work Slot has done so far, although the head coach will rightly be the first to tell you that we are only a few months into the season with a long way to go until May. Because we are past the honeymoon period now and sterner tests lie ahead.

But from the evidence shown thus far, fans are allowed to get excited about what comes next.

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