Arne Slot is repeating Jurgen Klopp trait that Liverpool supporters and players love

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been utilising his squad.
-Credit: (Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)


Speaking after the Champions League win against AC Milan last week, Arne Slot revealed that supporters would "see more of the players that haven't played a lot today or in other games in the future soon." He was responding to a question on Federico Chiesa, but several teammates will have taken notice.

A number of players had barely played 90 minutes in Liverpool's first five games of the season and were eyeing more game-time on Saturday and Wednesday. Darwin Nunez was handed his first start of the season during the weekend win over Bournemouth and repaid his new manager with a goal.

Jarell Quansah marked his first line-up inclusion since the opening day in converse fashion, recording the first own goal of his senior career in Wednesday's 5-1 League Cup rout of West Ham. He can count himself quite unfortunate given he knew little about it, though, as Wataru Endo smacked the ball against his leg from a few yards.

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The 21-year-old did not let that faze him as he put in a decent shift for the rest of the match, completing his first competitive 90 minutes under Slot. The same applies for Joe Gomez, who had only earned 11 minutes before kick-off, while he even captained the side.

Gomez is an interesting case study considering what happened this summer. As revealed by the Liverpool ECHO, Gomez was part of a £45million deal with Newcastle United within the £75m proposal for Anthony Gordon to go the other way before talks ultimately collapsed.

He will have seen the news and might have food for thought given he's yet to play at all in the Premier League so far. His happiness might be viewed as the litmus test for Mark Lawrenson's piece of advice for Slot, when speaking to the ECHO recently.

"Keep everybody happy," was his message, having been part of the silverware-laden squads under Bob Paisley and Sir Kenny Dalglish. Slot has already one player speak out about his frustration of not being allowed to leave.

Caoimhin Kelleher wanted to leave this summer.
Caoimhin Kelleher wanted to leave this summer. -Credit:©SPORTSFILE

Caoimhin Kelleher this month went public with his transfer wishes, admitting that he "made it clear over the last few years that I want to go somewhere and be the number one." Slot has made it crystal that Alisson attains that status at Liverpool, but Kelleher has enjoyed two outings in the past week.

He would have always played on Wednesday due to his status as a cup goalkeeper, but a hamstring problem to Alisson shows why Slot was unwilling to allow the Irish shot-stopper to leave this summer. All the while, Slot has gone about repeating a trait Jurgen Klopp often showed.

Wednesday's late substitute appearance was not Tyler Morton's senior debut - in fact it was his 10th outing - but it was his first for more than two-and-a-half years. Klopp was always eager to give youth a chance during his stay and there is hope Slot will, too, citing Morton's stint and academy star Trey Nyoni's Premier League squad inclusion.

Furthermore, all players who would be classed within the senior squad - barring goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros - have already been given minutes this season. And only new boy Chiesa, the injured Harvey Elliott and the young Morton have been included in fewer than five matchday squads - Nyoni aside.

Tyler Morton in Carabao Cup action.
Tyler Morton in Carabao Cup action. -Credit:Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Jaros, Kelleher, Quansah, Gomez, Elliott and Morton are the only six players out of the 23 to play fewer than three matches. Each and every player is being given an opportunity by Slot, and they will be destined for more amid the cramped schedule.

Asked how to best reduce the risk of injuries within the squad, namely Diogo Jota, Slot replied: "Rotate." Music to the ears of those currently on the fringes and something Klopp and Lawrenson would approve of.