NewsKenny Dalglish: Arne has been brilliant - I'm looking forward to the season
Sir Kenny Dalglish is eagerly anticipating Arne Slot’s second season at the Liverpool helm after hailing the head coach’s ‘brilliant’ debut year.
The Dutchman delivered the Premier League title at the first attempt in 2024-25 as the Reds wrapped up their 20th title in history with four matches to spare.
Three of those championships were captured under the leadership of Dalglish, who also achieved the feat in his maiden season in charge.
Knowing exactly what it takes, the legendary Scot has saluted the meticulous and calm approach Slot deployed to such impactful effect last term.
“The boys did a real turn last year,” Dalglish told Liverpoolfc.com in Hong Kong, where he is part of the club’s pre-season tour.
“Arne coming in, first year, it was a big year as well for him. He was brilliant the way that he just had a good look at the boys.
“He brought in a goalkeeper who has now signed [Giorgi Mamardashvili] and I think [Federico] Chiesa was the only other one he actually bought for the squad.
“He has got off to a brilliant start and he has given everybody a fair chance and has had a look. He has got one or two ideas that obviously have resulted in transfers now. So, I’m looking forward to this season and how it goes.
“It was fantastic what he did last year.”
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Watch on YouTubeSlot inherited the reins at Anfield after Jürgen Klopp’s transformational era of almost nine years in charge of Liverpool concluded last summer.
The Reds had finished third in 2023-24 alongside lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley, providing solid foundations on which to build under former Feyenoord boss Slot.
“It was a good job to get,” reflected Dalglish. “I know Jürgen left and Jürgen in his own way was hugely successful at Liverpool and a great manager.
“Arne is a different breed but he is still a great manager. They had a great year last year and we’re looking forward to this year. It’s not that anybody needs to be better than somebody else, you just need to be better than the people you’re playing against.
“Taking over from Jürgen, you’re better taking over from a team that’s a good team. I think I would rather have it, with a good team than having to build one yourself.
“Now he’s seen them and had a look, maybe he’s starting to get it in his mind to make a few changes to bring in some of the people he likes, which I think is fair enough. I think it’s brilliant the way he’s gone about it.
“He had a hard act to follow and follow as well as he did. Now he’s got himself in. I’m sure we’re all looking forward to [next season].
“And he’s a really good guy. They say good people don’t normally win but I don’t think that’s the case. So, fingers crossed for him this year because he deserves it.
“He couldn’t have done any better. A really, really good job he did – and I hope it continues for him.”