Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman explains why Arne Slot is ‘LUCKY’ despite admitting the Liverpool boss is doing a ‘better job’ than Man United rival Erik ten Hag

Ronald Koeman has insisted Arne Slot has been ‘lucky’ compared to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag after Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to the Red Devils.

Slot has made an impressive start at Anfield despite the difficult task of replacing Jurgen Klopp.

Luis Diaz scored twice before Mohamed Salah secured victory at Old Trafford, giving the Reds their third straight win.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman watched the match with a number of Dutch players and explained ahead of the upcoming Nations League matches why he thinks Slot is ‘lucky’.

Koeman said: ‘I watched because of the many Dutch players. But of course I also looked at it from a manager’s point of view.

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman (left) said Arne Slot (right) was “lucky” after Liverpool’s crushing 3-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Koeman said Slot is lucky to have the front three at his disposal after Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all shone for the Reds in the win over their rivals.

Koeman said Slot is doing ‘slightly better’ than Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag

‘Arne Slot does a little better. But when you have the front three that he has, you have to realize that you are lucky.’

Liverpool’s new manager takes over a team with an impressive array of attacking talent.

Liverpool have one of the best attackers in the world in Salah. Against the Red Devils he played together with Diaz and Jota.

Dutch internationals Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez were on the bench, while the Reds also recently signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus.

Ten Hag is now under pressure after narrowly managing to keep his job at the end of last season.

United finished eighth in the Premier League and were knocked out in the group stages of the Champions League, but he kept his job thanks to the FA Cup win.

However, the Red Devils have started this season slowly, with two defeats in their first three games.

Slot has made the perfect start at Liverpool with three wins from as many league games

In addition to Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, Joshua Zirkzee and Matthis de Ligt were also present.

Gravenberch has impressed in midfield for the Reds, although Koeman was fiercely critical of the 22-year-old during his press conference.

The former Everton and Southampton manager responded to a journalist’s praise for the defensive midfielder by saying: ‘I’m glad you added that last bit. I’ve always seen the potential in him.

But I thought he couldn’t concentrate properly. That was something he had to improve and now it seems he finally understands what is being asked of him.’

Despite making 26 appearances for the Reds last season, Gravenberch did not play a single minute in Euro 2024, which saw the Netherlands reach the semi-finals.