Arne Slot leads Liverpool to Premier League glory and praises Jurgen Klopp’s lasting influence
Arne Slot wasted no time in paying tribute to Jurgen Klopp after guiding Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title with a commanding 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Slot, who succeeded Klopp last summer, etched his name into Premier League history by becoming the first Dutch manager to lift the trophy. Amid the celebrations, the 46-year-old was quick to direct the spotlight towards the man who paved the way for him.
“It feels great. I don’t think I want to say a lot. The only thing now is to send my appreciation to Jurgen Klopp,” Slot told LFCTV, moments after the final whistle.
Then, in a moment of pure emotion, Slot broke into the tune Klopp had once asked Liverpool fans to sing after his farewell match, replacing the lyrics with his predecessor’s name. The heartfelt gesture underlined just how strong a bond had developed between the two.
Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Slot revealed, “I am 99.9% sure that if I pick up my phone there will be a message from Jurgen. So many moments this season we’ve had contact. He showed last season what a wonderful human being he is by introducing me.”
Slot emphasised that Klopp’s real gift was the team he left behind—a squad still brimming with culture, quality and a tireless work ethic. “The work Jurgen and Pep [Lijnders] did – the culture, work-rate, quality – was outstanding,” he added when speaking to Sky Sports.
Few would have dared predict such a meteoric debut season for Slot. Taking over after Klopp’s monumental era was seen as one of the toughest jobs in football. Even Slot himself admitted modest expectations at the campaign’s start.
“When the season started, we would have been happy with top four,” he said. “But I don’t think that is fair on the players as they are much better than that and they have shown it this season.”
Sunday’s final step to glory had a moment of jeopardy when Dominic Solanke stunned Anfield with an early goal for Spurs. Yet Slot insisted he never feared for his side.
“I think from the moment we arrived on the bus everyone could feel that we were never going to lose this game,” he told BBC Match of the Day. “Even at 1-0 down you felt this team and the fans could get it over the line.”
Slot credited not just the players but the whole Liverpool operation for their success. Speaking to LFCTV, he said: “They always find a way to win. I’m incredibly proud, not only of the players but the people standing here, sport directors, my staff members – we should give them a big round of applause.”
Slot also reminded fans of Liverpool’s recent resurgence, remarking: “Let’s forget it’s the second title in 35 years… it’s the second in five years.”
As the celebrations raged across Anfield, Slot’s humility and gratitude stood out. This was a night that belonged to Liverpool’s players, staff, and fans—but it also firmly sealed Arne Slot’s place in Liverpool folklore.
