Arne Slot branded ‘Erik ten Hag in disguise’ as Richard Keys blasts Liverpool news
Richard Keys has labelled incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot “Erik ten Hag in disguise” as he blasted the Reds’ impending appointment to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp is set to step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season and Feyenoord head coach Slot is the man who has been selected to take over, with the clubs agreeing a compensation fee.
Keys, however, is “underwhelmed” by the Reds’ choice of successor for the German.
Speaking on beIN Sports, he said: “I’m trying to put myself in the shoes of Liverpool fans. Am I excited? No. Am I surprised? Yes. I’m underwhelmed if I’m honest. I’m seriously underwhelmed.
“I couldn’t give you the name of a Dutch manager who’s succeeded in our league. There’s been one or two like [Guus] Hiddink or [Louis] Van Gaal [or] Ruud Gullit that have had limited success, but [no Dutch manager] over a period of time has had sustained success. I think he’s Erik ten Hag in disguise.”
Can Arne Slot live up to the standards set by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool?
It is no secret that Slot has big shoes to fill at Liverpool.
Klopp has set the bar high at Anfield, leading the Reds to their most successful spell in the Premier League era under his guidance, winning eight pieces of silverware since his mid-season appointment in 2015 – the Premier League, the Champions League, two League Cups, an FA Cup, a Club World Cup, the Community Shield and the UEFA Super Cup.
That is no mean feat, particularly when you consider that Liverpool’s trophy haul in the nine years before his arrival consisted of a single League Cup in 2012.
Slot, meanwhile, has yet to establish himself at the very highest level – but his work with Feyenoord has certainly been promising thus far.
In three years with the Dutch side, the 45-year-old has lifted the Eredivisie title and the KNVB Cup, as well as reaching the final of the inaugural Europa Conference League.
Liverpool fans will hope he can bridge the gap and does not turn out to be as underwhelming as Keys expects.
In other Liverpool news, the Reds are set to announce a £50m+ Adidas deal.
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