Arne Slot has been set some ambitious minimum requirements for his first season as Liverpool manager.
The Dutchman made a promising start in the Reds hot seat with a 2-0 win over newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the weekend.
However, he has a tough act to follow in serial trophy-winner Jurgen Klopp, who arguably over-achieved by leading Liverpool to a third-place finish in his final season on Merseyside.
With the transfer deadline looming, Slot is still to make his maiden signing as Liverpool boss and it is clear reinforcements are needed if the Reds are to challenge on multiple fronts this season.
Anfield legend Graeme Souness has underlined the level of expectation at Anfield by setting out the least Slot must achieve this term.
Finishing in the top four should be the bare minimum for Arne Slot this season,” said the former Reds manager and player on Three Up Front, William Hill’s new podcast featuring Simon Jordan, Troy Deeney and Souness.
Having a proper go at the Champions League and reaching the semi-final, as well as a good campaign in the Premier League, should be his target.
Souness outlined the challenges facing Slot as he chases that so-far elusive first signing. He said: “Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came third last year and everyone said what a fabulous manager he was and the tune he got out of those players.
He got the maximum out of those players and still finished third.“I think Arne Slot still needs to strengthen in certain areas because if Klopp couldn’t do it with the same group of players, then are they going to finish any better than third? I don’t think so.“Last season I thought the next manager after Klopp was walking into the dream situation.
I don’t think it’s as dreamy anymore. They didn’t put their foot to the floor last season when it really mattered and they had a Premier League title to win with 10 games to go.
The job is still great and Slot will walk into a dressing room full of energy with life in it, but it’s not quite as dreamy as it was.
