NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 17:47
Slot explains popularity in England: ‘Aren’t I also so popular in the Netherlands?’
“It’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas“. The Liverpool fans are becoming more and more creative with the songs about their manager. A day before the match against Real Madrid, Arne Slot appears to be a hot topic in England. At the press conference he mainly answers questions about himself. And about Salah, who made remarkable statements about his future last weekend.
Slot has now completed twelve league matches and four Champions League matches at Liverpool. In the Premier League he only lost one match and in the billion dollar ball he is even undefeated. That makes Liverpool fans dream of golden times, for example of winning both competitions.
But the former Feyenoord coach does not want to look that far ahead. First there is a week on the program in which Real Madrid and Manchester City wait. “These are two teams that have dominated their own competition and Europe in recent years. So it is a very special week with big matches.”
‘I’m also popular in the Netherlands, right?’
With good results this week, Slot could further increase his popularity in Liverpool. When the trainer from Bergentheim is asked about the origins of his popularity, he gets laughs in his own way.
“I’m also very popular in the Netherlands, right?” Then seriously. “I don’t follow how popular I am. The results are good, yes, but that is done by the players. We put a lot of energy into good results, but the credits have to go to the players. They continue to achieve these results. That’s what makes me so popular, I’m part of those results…”
EPASlot thanks the crowd at Anfield
It has already earned him several songs in England. First, a song lyric was devised for Opus’ Live Is Life and now the Christmas songs are also about Slot. “It’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas.”
“My focus is not on all those songs, but on the match against Real Madrid. And on my family who came over today. But it does sound nice, haha. I enjoy working here and that will Stay that way as long as we win.”
‘Salah is more in than out’
Not only do the fans love Slot, but so do the players, says defender Andy Robertson. “We enjoy the work of the manager and the other coaches. How they prepare us is really important. Everyone loves them, hopefully we can continue that.”
But it’s not all smooth sailing in Liverpool. The former Feyenoord coach also has to put out the first fires this week. This was due to star Mo Salah, who expressed concerns about his expiring contract last weekend.
Slot disagrees with Salah: ‘If you see my lineups, he is more in than out’
“We are almost in December now and I have not yet received an offer to stay at the club,” said the Egyptian, whose contract expires after this season. “I’m probably more out then in. I’m disappointed, but we’ll see.”
Slot also had to answer many questions about this on Tuesday afternoon. “I’m not going to say much about it, but if you look at my lineups, he is more in And out. Whether Salah is distracted by the contract issues? No, I don’t think so. He is fully focused on the short term, playing matches.”
‘Real can win in all kinds of ways’
That will happen again on Wednesday evening in Liverpool, if Real waits. “It’s difficult to beat them. That team can win a game in so many different ways and that’s why they win the Champions League so often. They always find a way to progress and that makes them special.”
“They also have great players, just like Liverpool. So it will be a great match.”
Alexander-Arnold back at Liverpool
Arne Slot can call on Trent Alexander-Arnold again on Wednesday. The 26-year-old defender returns to the selection of the English leader after an injury, but will not be in the starting line-up against Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold injured his hamstring more than two weeks ago during the match against Aston Villa (2-0). He then withdrew from the England international matches.
Harvey Elliott also returns to the Liverpool selection, but will not kick off. Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas are absent.
(in a sarcastic, cheeky tone, à la Ricky Gervais) Ah, the charms of Arne Slot, the new messiah of Liverpool FC. I mean, who wouldn’t love a manager who’s as humble as a Dutch master of self-deprecation? “I’m also very popular in the Netherlands, right?” Oh, Slot, you’re a regular comedian! (chuckles)
But seriously, folks, Slot’s popularity in England is no joke. The fans are singing his praises, quite literally, with songs like “It’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas.” (Jimmy Carr-esque pause) I mean, it’s not exactly “All You Need is Love,” but it’s a start.
Now, let’s talk about the real issue at hand: Mo Salah’s contract saga. Slot, being the smooth talker that he is, claims that Salah is “more in than out” when it comes to his lineup. (wink, wink) Yeah, because nothing says “we value our star player” like a cryptic comment that could be interpreted in a million different ways.
Rowan Atkinson-esque aside: Imagine Slot’s inner monologue: “Ah, yes, I’ll just casually drop that Salah is ‘more in than out’ and hope no one notices that I’m not actually addressing the elephant in the room. Genius, pure genius!”
Lee Evans-style observational humor: You know what’s interesting? Slot’s comment about Salah being “fully focused on the short term, playing matches.” Yeah, because that’s exactly what you want to hear from your star player: “Hey, I’m only thinking about the next game, not the fact that my contract is expiring and I might be leaving the club soon.” Reassuring, isn’t it?
And finally, a bit of trivia: Did you know that Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the Liverpool selection after an injury? Yeah, because that’s exactly what you want to hear when you’re facing a team like Real Madrid: “Hey, our injured player is back, but he won’t be starting.” Talk about a confidence booster!
In conclusion, Slot’s popularity in England is on the rise, Salah’s contract situation is still a mystery, and Liverpool is facing a tough match against Real Madrid. But hey, at least the fans are having fun singing songs about their beloved manager. (smirk) Who knows, maybe “It’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas” will become the new “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” (laughs)
Here is the rewritten article:
NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 17:47
Slot Attributes Popularity in England to Team’s Success: ‘I’m Part of Those Results’
Liverpool fans’ creative chants about manager Arne Slot are becoming increasingly popular, with the latest rendition, “It’s beginning to look a Slot like Christmas,” echoing through the stadium. A day before the highly anticipated match against Real Madrid, Slot addressed the media, fielding questions about himself and star player Mo Salah’s future.
Having completed twelve league matches and four Champions League matches at Liverpool, Slot’s impressive track record has sparked optimism among fans, who are now dreaming of winning both competitions. The team has only lost one match in the Premier League and remains undefeated in the Champions League.
However, Slot remains focused on the present, acknowledging the significant challenges posed by Real Madrid and Manchester City in the upcoming week. “These are two teams that have dominated their own competition and Europe in recent years, so it’s a very special week with big matches,” he noted.
‘I Don’t Follow My Popularity; the Players Deserve the Credit’
When asked about the origins of his popularity, Slot humbly deflected attention, stating, “I’m also very popular in the Netherlands, right?” before seriously adding, “I don’t follow how popular I am. The results are good, yes, but that is done by the players. We put a lot of energy into achieving good results, but the credits have to go to the players. They continue to achieve these results, and that’s what makes me part of those results.”
Slot’s popularity has already inspired several songs in England, with fans adapting lyrics from Opus’ “Live Is Life” and even creating Christmas-themed chants. “My focus is not on all those songs, but on the match against Real Madrid. And on my family who came over today. But it does sound nice, haha. I enjoy working here, and that will stay that way as long as we win,” he said with a smile.
‘Salah is More In Than Out; He’s Fully Focused on the Short Term’
Slot also addressed concerns about Mo Salah’s expiring contract, which has sparked speculation about the player’s future. “We are almost in December now, and I have not yet received an offer to stay at the club,” Salah had stated, adding, “I’m probably more out than in. I’m disappointed, but we’ll see.” Slot countered, “If you look at my lineups, he is more in than out. Whether Salah is distracted by the contract issues? No, I don’t think so. He is fully focused on the short term, playing matches.”
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson echoed Slot’s sentiments, saying, “We enjoy the work of the manager and the other coaches. How they prepare us is really important. Everyone loves them, hopefully, we can continue that.”
‘Real Madrid Can Win in All Kinds of Ways; They Always Find a Way to Progress’
Looking ahead to the match against Real Madrid, Slot acknowledged the Spanish team’s exceptional abilities, stating, “It’s difficult to beat them. That team can win a game in so many different ways, and that’s why they win the Champions League so often. They always find a way to progress, and that makes them special.”
Slot concluded, “They also have great players, just like Liverpool. So it will be a great match.”
Alexander-Arnold Returns to Liverpool Selection
Arne Slot will have Trent Alexander-Arnold at his disposal for the match against Real Madrid, as the 26-year-old defender returns to the selection after an injury. However, Alexander-Arnold will not start against Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold had injured his hamstring during the match against Aston Villa (2-0) over two weeks ago and subsequently withdrew from the England international matches.
Harvey Elliott also returns to the Liverpool selection but will not kick off. Federico Chiesa, Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota, and Kostas Tsimikas are absent.
