Liverpool transfers: Wesley Sneijder gives Arne Slot Real Madrid transfer advice

Arne Slot has received a cautionary piece of advice from Dutch football legend Wesley Sneijder, just as the Feyenoord coach looks set to take over as Liverpool boss from the outgoing Jurgen Klopp, 

Sneijder, speaking on Veronica Offside, warned Slot against recruiting too many Dutch players, citing potential pitfalls similar to those he encountered during his time at Real Madrid.

Drawing from personal experience, Sneijder recounted his time with Los Blancos, where an influx of Dutch players led to linguistic and cultural divisions within the team.

"I would be careful with bringing in too many Dutch players. I experienced that at Madrid," Sneijder said.

"When I arrived, only Ruud van Nistelrooy, Royston Drenthe and Arjen Robben were there. And the following year, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart joined too."

Avoid a Dutch clique in the squad

The former Madrid, Inter Milan and Ajax midfielder argued that it's human nature to want to speak in your mother tongue where possible.

"If the four of us play football somewhere, we're not going to talk Spanish to each other," he said.

"Then you get groups," said former Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat, also a guest on the show, who interjected to warn against the formation of cliques which can be detrimental to the harmony in the squad.

Geertruida linked with a Liverpool transfer

Sneijder's advice comes amid rumours linking Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida with a move to Liverpool.

The potential addition of the right-back would increase to the Dutch contingent already at the club, which already includes captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch.

"Liverpool are so much bigger than Feyenoord," Sneijder said, highlighting the heightened pressure Slot will face when he takes the helm at Anfield.

As Slot navigates the transition, he must make sure to balance the allure of familiar faces with the need to maintain unity within the squad.