Liverpool extended their perfect start to the season on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Brentford.Just like during the opening day victory against Ipswich Town, the Reds were not always perfect on Sunday.
But despite one or two wobbles, it was a more than convincing start to life at Anfield for Arne Slot. The Dutchman has reason to be pleased with himself.
As seen by Slot’s low-key reaction to Luis Diaz’s opener, though, Liverpool’s new head coach is not getting carried away.However, after two games that have followed a not dissimilar pattern, the way Slot wants his team to play is starting to become clear.
And after Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna hailed Liverpool on opening day, Brentford’s Thomas Frank has followed suit.Thomas Frank gives Arne Slot verdictIf things had been different, perhaps Frank could have been the one lining up for an Anfield managerial debut in the home dugout on Sunday.
It was reported that Frank was interviewed for the Liverpool job earlier this year before the Reds opted to go with Slot.As his team once again showed on Sunday, the Dane would probably have been a decent choice. Frank is clearly an astute football manager.
As a result, it was interesting to hear his take on how he found going up against Slot’s new-look Liverpool side.Asked if he had spotted any difference between the new head coach and Jurgen Klopp by BBC Sport, Frank gave his assessment of what he’d seen at Anfield.
There were not many [differences],” he answered. “It is the same players, they have been playing the same way for eight or nine years, not all of them but a lot of them.“They still have crazy quality all over the pitch. They are still dangerous on offensive transitions, they scored two goals from that.“There was a few little bits in the structure and the build up play – they were the bigger differences,” Frank added.
What Arne Slot did to the Kop after first Anfield winSlot will no doubt already be getting tired of the Klopp comparisons he’s had to endure since arriving at Liverpool.It feels like every Premier League manager who faces the Reds this season is going to be asked this very same question.
Nevertheless, it’s an inescapable fact that Slot has replaced one of the best managers in Liverpool’s history. Those comparisons were always going to be drawn.
One of the biggest differences so far appears to be the personality of the two men. While Klopp was all action on the touchline, giddy and emotional, Slot is the direct opposite. The Dutchman is as cool as a cucumber.
That continued on Sunday as Arne faced the Kop as a winning manager for the first time. No sign of Jurgen’s famous fist bumps here, just a cool, calm wave and a thumbs up from the halfway line, jacket slung over his free arm.
