Jurgen Klopp has urged English football fans to sack new boss Arne Slot and give him time to work his magic at Anfield, but the outgoing German believes he is leaving Liverpool in an extremely healthy condition for his successor.
Klopp has dubbed this current version of his Reds side ‘Liverpool 2.0’ and the 56-year-old says even if he leaves, the new manager can continue to make positive steps with the young team that won the Carabao Cup in February.
“Liverpool 2.0 does not end with me,” said Klopp, who now has just three games left at the club. ‘It’s just the new Liverpool. It’s just the beginning, they (the new coaching team) can take the next steps.
“We all stand here and say, ‘Yes, they can be champions.’ It’s all a matter of perspective. What you put on it next year. If you say: “Okay, last year (this season) I came third, now you have to become champion”.
“We had time when we started. Do they have to wait four or five years? But if you give them time again, there is a chance. We’ll see about that. Who wins that battle, the patient ones or the others who have waited long enough. I’m sure there is a very bright future.’
Jurgen Klopp has urged fans to be patient when it comes to the debut of his successor Arne Slot
The Feyenoord head coach (left) is believed to be on the verge of confirming his move to Anfield
Klopp says his phone is always on if Slot, who has made a verbal agreement to join the Merseyside club, wants to speak to him or ask for advice, but he is unlikely to make an official transfer.
“It’s not my decision,” the German added. ‘I’m not in a position to give advice. When new people come in and they want to know something, they can call me – the whole world has my number. We can talk about absolutely anything, I like to talk about everything in this club.
‘(They inherit a) fantastic team. It was like we could do this, we could do that, we need that. Thank God it’s not my job anymore. That’s exactly what I don’t want to do anymore. The people who (enter) this club will be calm enough.
“They will all be looking at the information about the squad we have throughout the season. The age group is great, what comes out of the academy, positions, can you improve from outside? I don’t know if the money is there or not. It can always be improved, but the basis is absolutely great.
‘Look at the age of the midfield, really great. Stefan Bajcetic is back, really cool. Some will be here, some on loan, some sold. That’s all part of it. The foundation we have laid is really good. We tried to win the league, but we didn’t succeed, but you also have to look at it in the long term.’