Jurgen Klopp gave Arne Slot the perfect gift when he resigned: he is key to Liverpool's title chase
When presidents and prime ministers leave office, it is tradition to leave a note for their successor.
but when Jurgen Klopp He left Anfield in the summer and left something much better than just words of encouragement for Arne Slot.
The Reds seem transformed with the Dutchman, despite only one signing in the summer: the injured one. federico chiesa.
He has also had to deal with numerous other injuries, with star goalkeeper Alisson out, while Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Núñez have all missed at least one game.
There was even more bad news this week, as starting centre-back Ibrahima Konate, hailed as the best defender in the Premier League by Arsenal legend Martin Keown – has been Discarded probably until the New Year..
And yet Liverpool Situate at the top of the Premier League table, eight points ahead of champions Man City after just 12 games played.
Slot's quick and effective implementation of its own ideas has left many impressed, with a title packed with truth.
And the Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Slot will thank Klopp for the attitude he cultivated during his tenure and which has led the current group to immediately adopt new tactics on the pitch.
He told talkSPORT: “I was with them in America during pre-season because I'm an ambassador for the club, so I travel with the team mainly doing sponsorship work and stuff.
“But in the United States I was talking to the players and they accepted what he (Slot) wants to do and it is different from Jurgen Klopp.
“So, it's the character of the players.
“We saw when Sir Alex Ferguson left manchester unitedThey are the same players, when Arsene Wenger On the left, players will always drop in level when an iconic coach leaves.
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“(For the players) the question is: who are they (the fans) going to boo if we lose?
“And as long as the response is to boo the coach instead of the players, the players unconsciously absolve themselves of responsibility.
“We've seen it with teams in the past where the same team comes in and a new coach.
“But the biggest testament to what Jurgen Klopp has done is the character of the players he left behind, which means they accepted what Arnie Slot wants.”
A midweek victory over real Madrid in the Champions League, with young right-back Conor Bradley an exciting star of the show, has seen fans' confidence in the team grow even further.
However, his next test will be the biggest of all.
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An out-of-form Man City is the next opponent at Anfield and is on a six-match winless streak.
But Liverpool have been warned by a former Premier League star Troy Deeney which could be a perfect storm for an upset, with the defending champions coming into the matchup as underdogs.
“I think City will be better organised.” Deeney told talkSPORT.com.
“I think this is the perfect game for them. I know it's strange to say that.
“But Liverpool just beat Real Madrid, so their fans are expectant. But this is the first time that Manchester City is not a favorite in a match for the bookmakers. So everyone is ruling them out.
“I think they will be more together, more solid. I can see them winning, 2-1.”
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Deeney added: “People were telling me today, Arsenal They are more favorites to win the league than Man City, and Man City are second. I don't know what's going on.
“And they still have the best striker in the world, right? I'm confused.”
