Erik ten Hag delivers verdict on Arne Slot Liverpool move and makes Man United comparison

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has put club rivalry to one side and praised Liverpool's appointment of Arne Slot.

It was officially announced on Monday that the Dutchman had been appointed as the Reds' new head coach, succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the process, with the 45-year-old signing an initial three-year deal at Anfield.

Arriving on Merseyside with a reputation playing for his teams playing attractive football and winning trophies, Slot will become the latest Dutch coach to test himself in the Premier League.

With that said, Slot may not be standing across from ten Hag in the dugout next season with reports claiming that the Man United hierarchy have already made a sack decision regardless of the outcome of Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Nevertheless, ten Hag has given his view of Slot's move to Liverpool and believes his compatriot is set up to do well on Merseyside, comparing the structure in place at Anfield to what he walked into at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag backs Slot to succeed at Liverpool

"I think it is a very good and beautiful choice from both sides. This is great for the Dutch trainers' guild," ten Hag said in an interview with Voetbal International. "And Arne Slot also fits Liverpool with his philosophy. It also ties in with Jürgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders. They have left a strong foundation.

"He ends up in better waters than I did when I went from the Netherlands to Manchester United. In terms of structure in the club, in terms of balance in the selection. Last year they had a transition in the team. Then guys like Fabinho and Henderson left.

"Last season at Liverpool they also had a bit of the year we had now, with a lot of injuries. Someone like Díaz, a decisive player, was also injured a lot.

"They reorganized the midfield there last year. And that's where it stands now, with Endo, Mac Allister, Jones and Szoboszlai, and Gravenberch playing more and more. By the way, Gakpo has also been playing really well in recent weeks.

"Núñez is a dangerous striker, Konaté forms a very strong duo with Van Dijk. Alisson Becker is a strong goalkeeper. Liverpool has good [full] backs with Alexander-Arnold and Robertson.

"He will probably have to find a good replacement for Salah. That won't be easy. But that's all up to Slot and the Liverpool club management. But it can certainly be a great match."