Pep Lijnders reveals what Liverpool fans can expect from new manager Arne Slot

Pep Lijnders has revealed what Liverpool fans can expect from new manager Arne Slot next season, admitting that he knows his 45-year-old compatriot very well. 

Lijnders will be heading out of the Anfield exit door this summer alongside Jurgen Klopp, with Liverpool's long-term assistant manager having agreed to take over at RB Salzburg next term.

Klopp will be replaced by Feyenoord boss Slot, with the Dutch coach bringing assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff with him to fill Lijnders's vacant position.

Slot, who has won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup over the past two seasons with Feyenoord, has earned plenty of plaudits as one of the game's most exciting coaches, with Lijnders having had close contact with him in the past.

PEP LIJNDERS ON 'UNBELIEVABLE' ARNE SLOT

Speaking with The Athletic, Lijnders revealed that he and Slot have history, with the incoming Liverpool manager having sought his guidance previously.

"I know Arne really well. He came to my house in Holland about nine years ago," said Lijnders. "He came to speak to me about football. He drove for a long time to see me and he had a thousand questions. I tried to answer them all!

"Since then, we’ve stayed in close contact. He’s an unbelievable coach, who knows exactly what he wants and has the experience to be at a club like Liverpool.

"There are similarities between Feyenoord and Liverpool. Their fans are so passionate. They also sing You’ll Never Walk Alone."

On what Liverpool can expect from Slot tactically, Lijnders revealed: "You need a coach like Arne who is close to what we tried to do over the years, in terms of having the ball in the opposition half, pressing, counter-pressing — he’s very strategical in that point of view. He’s made good steps and now it’s the chance for him to make another big step.

"When I spoke with [Fenway Sports Group president] Mike [Gordon] and Jurgen, I said you need a young coach who can grow with this new team. Arne has everything in him to be a success here."

Slot boasts plenty of glowing recommendations from those who know him more intimately than English football fans, but he will have to make a good first impression following Klopp's exit this summer.