Arne Slot CONFIRMATION, defender interest & Darwin's future - Liverpool FC News Recap

With Liverpool still reeling from the disastrous 2-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday that ended all hopes of a Premier League title, much of the attention switched to Feyenoord's Arne Slot, who had earlier emerged as the clear favourite for the manager job.

Slot has now CONFIRMED his intention to move to Liverpool at the end of the season and take over as Jurgen Klopp’s successor.

The 45-year-old manager came out on top after the Reds’ extensive search for a new boss following Klopp’s announcement in January that he intended to stand down at the end of the current campaign.

"The only thing I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations," Slot told ESPN NL before Feyenoord's league game against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday.

"And then you sit in the waiting room and wait for what will come out.

"It seems clear to me that I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I'm waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I'm very confident in that."

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Arne has captain's backing

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk became the first player to speak about the identity of the potential new manager, offering his thoughts on his fellow countryman.

"I think Slot is one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment," said the Netherlands captain in quotes reported by the Daily Mail.

"With the way he plays and the philosophy he has, he can be a Liverpool coach."

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Carragher not so impressed

Not everyone is so impressed by the news. Jamie Carragher believes it's a sign that Liverpool aren't exactly flush with options in their search.

"What I would say is from Feyenoord to Liverpool is a huge jump," he told Sky Sports.

"I think it shows at this moment there's probably a dearth of really top managers out there when you look at who Liverpool are going for."

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Managerial change will boost the coffers

Liverpool will reportedly save around £8m each year by swapping Jurgen Klopp for Arne Slot.

De Telegraaf reports that Slot would earn €8m per year at Anfield, should a deal go through. That comes to around £6.85m - and is a long, long way short of Klopp's salary (€17m, or £14.5m).

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Amorim out of the running after 'game' backfires

Ruben Amorim was the firm favourite for the Liverpool job a week ago, and Portuguese journalist Bruno Andrade believes he only has himself to blame.

He believes Amorim flew to London for talks with West Ham United in an attempt to put pressure on the Reds. Liverpool, however, didn't take that particularly well and saw right through it.

Clearly, the move has now backfired.

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Is Klopp to blame for Everton loss?

Former Everton and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney was the matchday pundit for Sky Sports and floated this very idea.

"Do you not question the timing of it getting released that Klopp's leaving the club? Because over the last few weeks or the last couple of months, everyone's saying 'fairytale ending' - all stuff like that.

"But the minute it goes wrong, I think you have to look at that timing [...] in their heads they'll be thinking 'what does my future hold? Am I still gonna be a Liverpool player?'"

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Or is it the players' fault?

That's the view of Anfield Watch's Sam McGuire.

He believes a number of Liverpool players are now past their best and have to go.

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Interest in 22-year-old defender is 'strong'

Gianluca Di Marzio believes Liverpool now hold a 'strong interest' in Eintracht Frankfurt's Willian Pacho.

The centre-back has seriously impressed in his debut Bundesliga season, potentially earning a move after just one year.

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Scouts didn't want Darwin Nunez

Liverpool’s scouting setup reportedly wanted to sign a player currently plying his trade at Chelsea - and not Darwin Nunez - in the summer of 2022.

However, it was Jurgen Klopp who ultimately got his way, and the rest is history. But who did they want instead?

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Nunez can still be a 'superstar'

However, in spite of his bad recent run of form and wastefulness in front of goal, Wayne Rooney has given his backing to Darwin Nunez.

"I wouldn't want to change too much of him," said Rooney. "He's very raw, he's very difficult to mark.

"It's just that composure in front of goal. If that clicks, he's a superstar."

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