Rafael Benitez has urged Arne Slot to ‘be himself’ when he assumes the role of Liverpool manager at the start of next month.
The outgoing Feyenoord boss was finally confirmed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield, penning a deal believed to run until 2027.
Liverpool will pay around £7.7million as a base figure for Slot, which could rise to £9.4m with bonuses, and the Dutchman will bring at least three of his trusted lieutenants with him to Anfield as the Reds’ coaching team will be completely overhauled in the summer.
Ahead of the 45-year-old’s arrival, Benitez – who managed the club for five seasons from 2004 – offered his advice, warning Slot that at Anfield ‘every game you are expected to win.’
‘No matter what you think you know, you have to learn quickly what it means to be the Liverpool manager.’ He told The Telegraph. ‘Every game you are expected to win.
‘Then, if you are winning and playing well, there is an expectation that you will win by three goals.’
Following the confirmation of his new role, Slot revealed why he chose to end a successful spell in the Netherlands with Feynoord, with whom he claimed a league title and a Dutch Cup.
‘It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people,’ he told the club website.
‘But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.’
In addition to his success in Rotterdam, Slot had AZ Alkmaar on the brink of a league title before Covid ruined the 2019-20 season.
Benitez, who led the Anfield club to their fifth Champions League in 2005 as well as an FA Cup triumph year later, went on to urge the incoming boss to ‘stick to his principles.’
And used the example of the dissent that followed his decision to deploy a zonal marking scheme upon his arrival in England 20 years ago.
‘It is important to adapt, but also to stick to those principles and ideas you believe in.’ He continued. ‘In our first year, there was a big discussion about zonal marking from corners.
‘We knew the idea was right because we had analysed 500 corners and knew which way could bring the most success, but we also needed a different profile of player to do it well.
‘The next season we changed a few things. We brought in Peter Crouch, which surprised people, but he was good as a target man and also with defending corners, and brought in a new goalkeeper Pepe Reina who was really strong dealing with corners and set-pieces. The next year we conceded the fewest Premier League goals from corners.’
Slot inherits a team has already undergone significant change but still requires attention in order to challenge for the Premier League once again.
His first assignment is likely to be Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States – which includes three matches in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Columbia – though it is unknown whether the boss will request they play a couple of games in Europe first.
Benitez added: ‘My biggest advice to him or to any manager is he must be himself while understanding the culture of the club and the city he is coming to work.
‘Once he understands that, he has made a positive first step and he will be guided down the right path.’
