- Arne Slot has replaced Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager
- Graeme Souness believes it will be difficult for him to improve on Klopp’s achievements
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Graeme Souness does not believe Liverpool will improve on last season’s third-place finish under Arne Slot this term.
Slot replaced legendary boss Jurgen Klopp at the helm and got off to a winning start last weekend as the Reds beat newly promoted Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road.
When Klopp announced his departure in January, it seemed his successor would have solid foundations to build on as Liverpool still had a chance of achieving an unprecedented quadruple.
But they went down at the end of the campaign, finishing with just the Carabao Cup, and have since failed to make a single signing this summer, leaving Souness doubtful whether they can continue this season.
Speaking at Three Up Front, William HillSpeaking on ‘s new podcast with Simon Jordan and Troy Deeney, Souness said: ‘Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool finished third last year and everyone said he was a fabulous manager and got the most out of his players and yet they still finished third.
Arne Slot got off to a winning start at Liverpool as his side beat Ipswich last weekend.
He is looking to build on the foundations laid by Jürgen Klopp after his departure at the end of last season.
Souness does not believe Liverpool will do better than last season with Slot in charge
“I think Arne Slot still needs to strengthen in certain areas because if Klopp couldn’t do it with the same group of players, are they going to finish better than third? I don’t think so.
“Last season I thought the next manager after Klopp was going to be in a dream situation, but I don’t think it’s so dreamy anymore. Last season they didn’t give their all when it really mattered and they had to win a Premier League title with ten games to go.
‘The work is still fantastic and Slot will enter a dressing room full of energy and life, but it is no longer as wonderful as before.’
Despite putting a cap on expectations, Souness still feels Liverpool can enjoy a strong campaign in their first season since Klopp’s departure, and outlined realistic targets that Slot can achieve.
“A top-four finish should be the bare minimum for Arne Slot this season,” Souness added.
‘Their goal should be to have a good performance in the Champions League and reach the semi-finals, as well as having a good campaign in the Premier League.’
Slot surprised on Saturday when he made a bold change by replacing Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate at half-time.
It seemed like a brutal decision on Quansah’s part, but Slot stood his ground and explained after the match that the young defender had lost too many duels in the first half.
Slot pulled Jarell Quansah at halftime in his first game because he was unhappy with the defender losing so many duels.
Ibrahima Konate (left) came on and made a positive impact, and Souness was impressed with Slot’s bold decision so early in his Liverpool managerial tenure.
Slot’s decision paid off as Liverpool put in a much improved performance after the break and ran out victorious, and Souness liked what he saw from the Dutchman in his first 90 minutes on the touchline.
“I liked Arne Slot’s decision to take off Jarell Quansah at half-time because he had seen something that wasn’t working,” Souness said.
‘It’s only a big decision if you bring someone off the bench that you’re not sure about. It wasn’t a brave decision, it was a smart decision.
‘Liverpool have big challenges ahead of them but it was a great first game against a newly promoted side and they did what they had to do, which was take on Ipswich in the first hour.’