“Slot obviously isn’t stupid enough” - Manchester United legend on Liverpool boss emulating Jurgen Klopp at Anfield

Former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham has backed Arne Slot and explained why the new Liverpool manager will be his own man. The Dutch coach has big shoes to fill after succeeding club legend Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Sheringham backed Slot to steer the Merseysiders to a title charge this season despite him just arriving this past summer. He told Ladbrokes' 'Gaffer of all Accas':

"I think there's three teams capable of winning the title this year. Man City, Arsenal and, while I was unsure about them, with the new manager coming in, I think Liverpool will be up there."

Sheringham said he's been impressed with how Slot acknowledged his predecessor Klopp. The England legend feels the former Feyenoord manager has adapted to the job perfectly.

Super Ted also likes that Slot hasn't tried embodying Klopp's characteristics and is using a different approach:

"There was purpose in Jurgen's ways, Liverpool fans loved him, and Slot obviously isn't stupid enough to come in and try and do things his way, and change things up. His approach, and his acknowledgement of Klopp, is the perfect way to keep his players, and the supporters, on side. They're definitely in the title race."

Slot has overseen a perfect start to his Anfield reign, with his Reds winning three games on the bounce. They beat Ipswich Town and Brentford both 2-0 before romping to a 3-0 victory away at Manchester United before the international break.

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Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag argued Liverpool's Arne Slot inherited a better team than he did

Slot has come in for high praise from many in the English football game, but Erik ten Hag finds himself under scrutiny. His fellow Dutch tactician is struggling to win over many in his third season at Old Trafford.

Manchester United made a worrying start to the campaign, beating Fulham 1-0 but lost 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion. Their 3-0 loss to Liverpool reignited talk over Ten Hag's future after months of speculation earlier in the summer.

Ten Hag compared his situation with Slot's when INEOS handed him a new one-year contract extension in August. He suggested he came into a United side in a much worse position (via ESPN):

"I'm not here to talk for him [Slot] but Liverpool, it's clear, they are in a different phase of the lifecycle. They have a team that is mature, players who have been playing for a long time together and who are very experienced. We have much more of a mix and have to build a new team."

Klopp spent nine years at Anfield, and plenty of that was spent with the squad Slot is working with. Ten Hag added:

"There is a team and the structures are really clear, I think the players, the partnerships, the relationships in that team are very clear and that is what he inherited, that has been built over the past years. So things are still the same, but I have also seen some things that he already brought in."

Ten Hag took a Manchester United side in 2022 that had been through six permanent and interim managers since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013. He led the Red Devils to the Carabao Cup and a third-place finish in his first season.