'I played for Liverpool and have watched Arne Slot closely - he shares Jürgen Klopp principles'

Liverpool supporters will be following the club’s pursuit of a new manager with intense interest. Xabi Alonso was the initial favorite, then Rúben Amorim looked the man most likely. Other managers like Roberto De Zerbi have also been in the frame, but it now appears that Arne Slot will face the task of replacing Jürgen Klopp.

He currently manages Feyenoord. While not the biggest club in Netherlands, it has won the European Cup once and the UEFA Cup twice, succeeding Liverpool as the winners of the latter competition in both 1974 and 2002.

With this level of success, it seems remarkable that the clubs have never played a competitive match. But the Reds signed both Jerzy Dudek and Dirk Kuyt from the Dutch side, and the latter has spoken to The Athletic about Slot's potential appointment.

READ MORE: Liverpool players told what to expect from Arne Slot after Feyenoord dressing room admission

READ MORE: Roberto De Zerbi may have impacted Liverpool's Arne Slot talks as Feyenoord 'demands' clear

Kuyt has a connection with the Reds’ managerial target that few can match. “Feyenoord is my team in Holland,” he said. “My son plays in the academy there so now and then, myself and Arne have some contact.

“It was around this time last year that he gave me the opportunity to spend a week with him, so I could watch how he goes about his job. It was a fascinating experience,” Kuyt added. The former Liverpool man is now a manager himself and this season guided Beerschot to promotion to the Belgian Pro League, the top division in Belgium, in his first campaign in charge.

Kuyt continued to shower praise on Slot in the interview. “Tactically, he’s very strong. He knows exactly what he wants and he believes in it. It’s attractive, attacking football He likes to play an aggressive defense, high intensity, with the game played in the opponent’s half, but it’s his way. It’s different from Klopp but a lot of the principles are the same.”

Kuyt also said he was “a bit excited” at the prospect of Slot making the move, as “a Dutchman who is both a Feyenoord and Liverpool supporter.” The Beerschot boss isn’t worried about his countryman’s ability to make the leap to the Premier League either.

“Following in the footsteps of Jürgen isn’t easy but Arne will do it his own way and give everything to make the club successful,” Kuyt said. “He’s determined and driven with a lot of self-belief. His style of play is exactly what Liverpool supporters love to see at Anfield.”

Liverpool.com says: Most Liverpool fans won't know too much about Slot, so it's good to hear the view of a former Reds player. Kuyt's words certainly paint the Feyenoord boss in a very positive light. It sounds like the 45-year-old is capable of taking on the difficult task of replacing Klopp, while maintaining a broadly similar playing style. Kopites couldn't ask for much more.