Liverpool to hold formal talks with Feyenoord as Arne Slot becomes No.1 choice

The Dutch coach is now the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool are set to begin formal talks with Feyenoord in the coming days over a move for Arne Slot, with the Dutchman now the stand-out candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

The Merseysiders have been evaluating a host of managers from around Europe after original first-choice target Xabi Alonso announced his decision to remain with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Sporting boss Ruben Amorim then emerged as a potential option – though he now looks more likely to end up at West Ham – while the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Thiago Motta were also linked.

But now Slot appears to be the frontrunner to replace Klopp at Anfield after three superb seasons in charge of Feyenoord, most recently winning this season’s KNVB Cup.

According to The Telegraph, Liverpool’s hierarchy believe the 45-year-old is the manager they need to lead the post-Klopp era and they will intensify their interest over the coming days.

Slot is very much a manager in demand and has also been linked with the Barcelona and Bayern Munich jobs, but the Dutchman is understood to be ‘enthusiastic’ about the prospect of taking over at Liverpool and following in Klopp’s footsteps.

Feyenoord, however, are prepared to put up a fight to keep their manager and Liverpool will need to hold talks with both the Eredivisie club and Slot’s representative, Rafaela Pimenta – who now runs Mino Raiola’s old empire.

Slot celebrates winning the KNVB Cup at the weekend (Picture: Getty)

Tottenham made a move to appoint Slot last summer but were frustrated in negotiations and the former AZ Alkmaar boss decided to remain in Rotterdam, also signing a three-year contract extension.

Back then, Spurs were looking at paying a compensation fee of around £6million but the cost now could be as much as twice that.

Feyenoord’s technical director Dennis te Kloese was asked about the speculation surrounding Slot and told ESPN: ‘I think it is logical that he finds himself in such a good position.

‘It is very special how he has conducted himself in recent years and he has really given Feyenoord a face. We responded by extending his contract.

‘In any case, we assume that he will also be our coach next year. We have experienced this situation before and will take good care of our own interests.’

Following last season’s Eredivisie title win – their first since 2017 – Feyenoord lost a number of key players, most notably captain Orkun Kokcu to Benfica, but Slot rebuilt the squad once again.

They have tied up second place in the Eredivisie table, scoring 77 goals along the way – a tally only bettered by champions-elect PSV – and also lifted the Dutch Cup.

Feyenoord will be playing Champions League football once again next season, having lost four of their six group games this season – with Lazio and Atletico Madrid progressing ahead of them – while they were knocked out of the Europa League by familiar foes Roma, who also beat them in the 2022 Europa Conference League final.

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