Error code: %{errorCode}

Soccer

Dutch legend surprised Arne Slot wasn't targeted by more top clubs

Ash Rose
Dutch legend surprised Arne Slot wasn't targeted by more top clubsGetty Images
New Reds boss has made a fast start to life at Anfield.

Liverpool's impressive start to the season isn't a surprise to Rafael van der Vaart, who has admitted he's a big fan of new Reds boss Arne Slot. 

Slot faced the difficult task of following Jurgen Klopp into the Liverpool hot seat but has made the perfect start to life at Anfield by winning his first three games in charge. 

Victories over Ipswich and Brentford were followed by the 3-0 win at Old Trafford when Slot became the first Liverpool boss to beat Man United at the first attempt since Bob Paisley. 

Speaking to BetMGM, former Tottenham forward Van der Vaart admitted he was surprised more clubs hadn't looked at Slot, and praised the Dutchman's impact on Merseyside. 

“A lot of people didn’t know too much about Slot before he came to Liverpool but I’m his biggest fan and have been for a long time,” he said. “

Some of the football his Feyenoord team played was unbelievable, particularly as he did with only okay players.

“It’s such a good choice from Liverpool because, for a club as big as them, it’s so easy to go and find a big, household name that everyone knows but they’ve gone for someone that very few in England had heard of.

“I’ve met him a few times and the thing that really struck me was that when he talks you believe what he says. It’s always nice when a coach is honest and everything they say is genuine – I think a lot of Liverpool fans have already noticed that with Slot. I’m really surprised no other big clubs came in for him.

“Jurgen Klopp did so well for such a long time with many of the players Slot has inherited and the fact he’s getting the quality performances out of them so early on shows what a good coach he is.

“Look at Mohamed Salah – he’s happy, he’s smiling and he really looks like he’s enjoying his football again. That wasn’t always the case last season but Slot has come in and almost made him look like a new signing.” 

The Reds return to action this weekend when they host Nottingham Forest at Anfield. 

Watch Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga live September 14 on DAZN (excluding Mexico, Latin America and China). Click here for details.

Watch on YouTube