Arne Slot will inherit solid foundations at Liverpool, says John Barnes.
The Dutch chief, who is currently in charge of Feyenoord, is set to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. The Reds have performed solidly this season and a top-three finish is almost guaranteed.
But Klopp’s men have now fallen away in the title race following just one win in their last five games. Despite the setback, Barnes believes the future is still bright for a Liverpool side in a transitional period.
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“I think fatigue could be one of the reasons for the drop-off,” he said. “There’s been a number of key absentees throughout the season and some players may have played a little bit more than they would have done.
“You have to remember that this is also a new Liverpool team. When you look at the Liverpool teams during Klopp’s tenure, the pressing comes from the midfield.
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“When we had players like Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, James Milner that was a midfield that was so used to the way that Klopp wanted to play without the ball.
“The press and the trigger for that press from the front players, there was a perfect understanding between the players. All of a sudden, these guys got a little bit older, and a new profile of player came in, guys like Thiago, Harvey Elliot, Curtis Jones.
(Image: PA)
“These players are not quintessential Klopp pressing midfielders, these are more skilful players. That is the way that Klopp has been leaning over the last season or so.
“This season, you have Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. It will take time. We’re a much more technical team with this midfield.”
After bagging the Carabao Cup in February, Liverpool were eyeing an unprecedented quadruple. But following defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup, Atalanta in the Europa League – and a mini-collapse in the Premier League – Klopp is expected to depart with just one piece of silverware this season.
(Image: (Image: Getty))
“The club have had a blip,” added Barnes. “We expect things to happen for Liverpool because of what Klopp has done in the past. But the future looks very bright for Liverpool.
“If you look at how competitive they are in the league, which is the most important barometer for consistency, with a whole new team and a whole new profile of player and then you look at the age of these players. Over the next few years, if this group stays together, they will only improve.”