Arne Slot: Everything you need to know about the manager house-hunting in Liverpool

In January, Jürgen Klopp announced that he would step down as Liverpool's manager at the end of the season, setting the stage for a search to find someone to continue his successful legacy at Anfield.

Liverpool have considered various potential candidates, most notably Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim and Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso.

However, it seems Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has now become the "leading candidate" as Liverpool schedule another meeting to discuss his potential move to Anfield.

Here's a look at the career and tactical approach of the Dutch boss and what he could bring to Liverpool.

Arne Slots' career as a player

Arne Slot began his career as a midfielder in the Netherlands, playing for clubs like PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda, and Sparta Rotterdam.

He achieved success by winning the Eerste Divisie twice, first in 2002 and later in 2012. After retiring in 2013, he transitioned into coaching, beginning at PEC Zwolle's youth system before moving on to become an assistant coach at Cambuur.

In 2017, Slot joined AZ Alkmaar as an assistant coach. By 2019, he was appointed as the head coach, guiding AZ through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once football resumed, Slot led his team to a remarkable second-place finish in the Eredivisie, level on points with Ajax, one of the country's top clubs.

This success led to his appointment at Feyenoord in 2021, where he made an immediate impact. Slot's leadership in his second season resulted in a league title with a young squad.

Notable players like Santiago Gimenez and Justin Bijlow emerged under his guidance, capturing the attention of football fans across Europe.

What tactical approach does Slot take?

Slot typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on high-intensity pressing and aggressive defense.

This approach aligns well with Klopp's style at Liverpool, where wingers play a crucial role in creating scoring opportunities.

Slot's teams are known for their relentless pressing, which is similar to Liverpool's gegenpressing tactics.

Feyenoord's success in pressing opponents has been among the best in Europe's top leagues, leading to high numbers of interceptions and points gained from losing positions.

The pressing style could be an excellent fit for Liverpool, given their current emphasis on aggressive play.

Slot's charisma and engaging personality also mirror Klopp's approach, potentially offering Liverpool a smooth transition in terms of leadership style.

His experience studying Pep Guardiola's possession-based methods adds another layer to his coaching philosophy, providing Liverpool with a strategic edge.

How would Arne Slot be able to replace Jurgen Klopp?

Although Slot has no experience in the Premier League, his style and approach could be a seamless fit for Liverpool.

His emphasis on high-pressing defence and attacking play aligns with the qualities of Liverpool's current squad.

Defenders like Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate could excel in Slot's system, as they are accustomed to aggressive defensive play and aren't afraid to push up the pitch.

Slot might also consider bolstering Liverpool's attacking midfield options, which could lead to new signings like Teun Koopmeiners.

This would allow the team to maintain its offensive threat and create more goal-scoring opportunities.

Arne Slot's Release Clause

While Slot is contracted with Feyenoord until 2026.

Reports have claimed that a fee of less than €10 million (£8.6 million) could be sufficient to secure his departure although the Athletic states that Slot does not have a release clause in his deal.

Without a release clause in his contract, Liverpool cannot force Feyenoord to release Slot but the hopes are he will be released all the same with reports from the Netherlands claiming he is searching for a house on Merseyside.

Given these factors, Arne Slot appears to be the leading candidate to become Liverpool's new manager.

With the latest reports from Paul Joyce and Fabrizio Romano, there's an expectation of movement in the coming days, indicating that Liverpool could soon finalise their decision on who will replace Jürgen Klopp.