Liverpool Star Identifies Two Key Jurgen Klopp’s Attributes Arne Slot Must Keep at the Club
Trent Alexander-Arnold has identified two key attributes that allowed Jurgen Klopp to help young players thrive at Liverpool.
For Arne Slot to succeed at Liverpool, he must maximize the potential of the current squad, including those emerging from the academy.
Many players from the U21s and U18s were crucial in Liverpool’s 2024 League Cup victory, but they need to be trusted to develop into regular first-team players.
Alexander-Arnold, himself a product of Klopp’s mentorship on Merseyside, emphasized why Klopp was such an exceptional coach.
Of Klopp, the Scouser told CNN: “Probably without going into too many tactical and technical things, as an out-and-out footballer – which he should take credit for as well – the two biggest things that a young player could ever ask for is opportunity and trust.
“Those two things he’s shown to me over and over again. I can never thank him enough for that.
“Potentially at the time that I came through, there’s a different manager that doesn’t trust young players and I don’t get the opportunities that I get and my story is completely different.
“It’s down to him, the reason why I was given the opportunities I’ve been given.”
Alexander-Arnold debuted for Liverpool in October 2016, eventually playing 310 matches for the club.
After his final game, the 25-year-old was seen crying on the pitch as the manager bid farewell to Liverpool.
“I can talk for hours for the impact he’s had on the city and how big he is to the people, not just football fans, but the city in general,” said the England midfielder.
“He’s a huge figure, someone who’s been amazing. You couldn’t ask for more from a manager, and that’s not even talking about the football side of things.
“His values and ethics, his morals that align with the club’s values and the city’s values.
“I’ve got a lot of mates, people that I know that are Everton fans, and even they were half-devastated with the news.
“He’s almost bigger than football within the city, what he’s done, what he represents and how he represents us. You can’t ask for anything more.”
Most Everton supporters are certainly not “half-devastated” to see him leave, but the points Alexander-Arnold makes about trusting young players are crucial.
His successor, Slot, must preserve those qualities that have helped so many Liverpool legends succeed. Without trust and opportunity, the next Alexander-Arnold won’t emerge.
In other Liverpool news, Trent Alexander-Arnold Names the Best Finisher in the England Squad as He Criticises Fans Who Want Him Dropped
