Arne Slot may have been the only person associated with Liverpool who was not filled with delight at the sight of Jurgen Klopp being back at the club this weekend.
The iconic former Reds boss was in town to help Kenny Dalglish manage the Liverpool Legends on Saturday, and immediately showed why he is still so loved on Merseyside.
All weekend, Klopp was doing the rounds, giving interviews and meeting people who were clearly made up to see him again.
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Arne Slot reacts with frustration during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg match against Galatasaray at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Carl Recine
With so much pressure currently falling on Slot to improve Liverpool‘s fortunes or face the sack, the Dutchman will have felt the heat turn up another notch as Reds fans were reminded just how good they used to have it.
Klopp reminds supporters of how it should be
It should be said that times were not always perfect under Klopp and he did have his own season or two of struggle, but through it all, the former Liverpool manager remained a magnetic force of personality.
The Liverpool foundation released a video of Klopp meeting and greeting people on his return on Saturday afternoon, and it will be a challenge for any supporter to watch it without grinning from ear to ear.
Now so used to Slot’s ice cool, slightly impersonable approach, fans had perhaps forgotten just how full of energy and enthusiasm Klopp always was. While watching the video, the difference between the two coaches could not be more stark, and with fans pining for the past, Slot could feel the backlash.
Arne Slot managing Liverpool at the City Ground
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
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It is imperative that the Dutchman continues to be his own man, and his reluctance to simply be Klopp 2.0 when arriving in 2024 was part of what made him so successful during the early part of his reign.
However, with results long-since turning against him, his passiveness has become a problem. Slot showed more passion recently during Liverpool’s crucial Champions League clash with Galatasaray, but with Klopp temporarily on the scene again, he needs to ramp this up again to get fans back onside.
Klopp comparisons could be Slot’s undoing
It is never really a good idea for a football club to get too hung up on its past. You only have to look at what’s happened to Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left to know that.
And while Liverpool fans scoffed at Darren Fletcher for admitting that he sought his former manager’s permission when taking interim charge at Old Trafford earlier this season, there is a danger that they are doing the same with Klopp.
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Jurgen Klopp celebrates with Liverpool supporters after the Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage (Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield).
Xabi Alonso gives a thumbs up before Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga match against St Pauli (Credit: Getty Images/Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield/Jurgen Fromme/Firo Sportphoto
Chasing the same feeling as the German gave over almost a decade in charge is not going to help anybody. Having said that, though, Liverpool fans clearly need a manager to be a driving force in order to get the very best out of the club. Here’s where Slot must take notes from Klopp.
Although there were plenty of attractions at Anfield during the Legends match on Saturday, the 58-year-old remained the biggest draw. At full-time, he even pulled out his trademark fist bumps in front of the Kop, something which, again, will have brought big smiles to every Liverpool fan’s face.
Nobody is expecting this from Slot, and he has had success by doing things his own way. But as supporters clamour for his head, the timing of Klopp’s return could hardly have been worse for the beleaguered Liverpool head coach.
Jurgen did not do anything wrong, of course, but by simply being himself he has underlined exactly what Liverpool have been missing since he left. With his memory fresh once again, supporters may be even less willing to give Slot more chances.
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