Liverpool Legend Tells Arne Slot What Would Make First Reds Season a Success as Reality Check Given

Arne Slot took over a Liverpool team from Jurgen Klopp that secured a third-place finish last season. John Barnes has shared his thoughts on what would define a successful season for the Reds’ new head coach.

Arne Slot is well aware of the significant challenge ahead as he steps into the role previously held by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

He is embracing the challenge, as he detailed in his first press conference. “You can look at it both ways. They are big shoes to fill, but you can also look at it in a way that you inherit a squad and a team that has a winning culture,” he said.

While it’s true, there’s no certainty that the club will keep winning trophies, especially given the high level of competition in the Premier League and Champions League.

Liverpool legend John Barnes shared his thoughts with Mail Sport on what he considers a successful 2024/25 season for his former team.

Barnes offered his perspective at an event honoring grassroots volunteers at MSB Woolton Football Club. Having been with Liverpool when Graeme Souness succeeded Sir Kenny Dalglish, Barnes has firsthand experience of the Reds going through a managerial change involving a legendary figure.

“We’ve seen when Alex Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish, and Arsene Wenger left, there was a bit of a dip because having someone iconic for so many years, you’d think there would be, but I would urge the fans and the players to get behind Arne Slot,” he said.

“They need to show him the respect that they showed Jurgen Klopp, meaning that they have to do what he says, they have to turn to his tune, and I’m sure they will because they’re all good characters.”

“He’s got this job because he did well at Feyenoord and was his own man,” Barnes continued. “This can’t be a continuation because he’s a new manager. As much as they may play similar styles, they’re not the same style, and he has to be his own person. We have to respect and honour that. The fans have to get behind him. The fans can’t say: ‘Well, Jurgen would have done this’.”

“Being competitive in the league would be a successful season. In the cup matches you can never tell. You could play Man City away in the third round and lose – that’s not failing, as much as you can win.

“If we play consistently well and that means that coming towards the end of the season we’re in with a chance of winning the league, if we finish second or third, two points off the top… it’s just being competitive in every game,” he concluded.

Thought

Barnes maintains high standards, which is entirely reasonable. This season will probably have a transitional vibe, despite Slot taking over a very skilled Liverpool squad.

Most Reds fans would be thrilled with a title challenge in 2024/25, even if the team doesn’t ultimately win the title.

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