- Arne Slot has replaced Jurgen Klopp in the manager’s dugout at Liverpool
- Graeme Souness thinks he will struggle to improve on what Klopp achieved
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Greame Souness does not believe Liverpool will improve on their third-placed finish from last season under Arne Slot this term.
Slot has replaced legendary boss Jurgen Klopp at the helm and made a winning start last weekend when the Reds beat newly-promoted Ipswich Town 2-0 at Portman Road.
When Klopp announced he would be leaving in January, it looked like his successor would have strong foundations to build on as Liverpool were still in with a chance of pulling off an unprecedented Quadruple.
But they fell away at the back end of the campaign and ended up with only the Carabao Cup, and they have since failed to make a single signing this summer, leaving Souness doubting whether they will be able to kick on this season.
Speaking on Three Up Front, William Hill’s new podcast featuring Simon Jordan and Troy Deeney, Souness 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.
Arne Slot made a winning start to life at Liverpool when his side beat Ipswich last weekend
He is looking to build on the foundations built by Jurgen Klopp following his exit at the end of last season
Souness does not believe Liverpool will do any better than last season with Slot at the helm
‘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.’
Despite putting a lid on expectations, Souness still feels Liverpool can enjoy a strong campaign in their first season since Klopp’s exit, and outlined realistic targets for Slot to achieve.
‘Finishing in the top four should be the bare minimum for Arne Slot this season,’ Souness added.
‘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.’
Slot raised eyebrows on Saturday when he made a bold substitution as he replaced Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate at half-time.
It appeared to be a brutal call on Quansah, but Slot stood by his decision, explaining after the game that the young defender had lost too many duels in the first half.
Slot took Jarell Quansah off at half-time in his first game due to not being happy with the defender losing so many duels
Ibrahima Konate (left) came on and made a positive impact, and Souness was impressed with Slot’s bold call so early on in his managerial tenure at Liverpool
Slot’s decision paid off as Liverpool delivered a much-improved display after the break to cruise to victory, and Souness liked what he saw from the Dutchman in his first 90 minutes on the touchline.
‘I liked Arne Slot’s decision to take Jarell Quansah off at half-time, because he had seen something that wasn’t working,’ Souness said.
‘It’s only a big decision if you’re bringing someone on from the bench that you’re not sure about, it wasn’t a brave decision, it was the intelligent one.
‘The challenges are ahead for Liverpool, but it was a great first game for them against a newly-promoted side and they did what they needed to which was deal with Ipswich for the first hour.’
