Liverpool legend John Barnes has explained why Arne Slot has not inherited the same issues as Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes a famous squad policy under Jurgen Klopp has spared Arne Slot the problems inherited by Manchester United counterpart Erik ten Hag. Former Reds vice-captain James Milner once revealed there was a strict “no k***heads” rule regards players under Klopp which helped form a strong bond within the playing staff.
With Slot having made just one signing for this season – Federico Chiesa – the Dutchman is largely working with the same players as his predecessor.
And Barnes reckons the character of the squad is a key reason for the new Liverpool boss enjoying a record-breaking start in the hotseat of 11 wins from his first 12 games.
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“Arne Slot’s biggest challenge was to get the players to buy into what he’s trying to do,” said Barnes. “That is the biggest challenge for any new manager.
“It’s really difficult when a football club has to replace an iconic manager. We’ve seen how challenging it is at Manchester United and Arsenal. The new manager comes in and the fans and the players are like ‘this is what Fergie would have done’ and it doesn’t work. Whereas the (Liverpool) players have 100% bought into what he wants, and he’s changed it.
“You’ve got Curtis Jones with Gravenberch in midfield, who would never have been the first-choice midfield players for Jurgen, and you would think with that change, it’ll take time, but it hasn’t. We’ve hit the ground running. I have to give praise to the players and praise to Jurgen for buying players with the right character.”
Barnes, speaking to Lucky Block, added: “The best thing Jurgen Klopp did for Liverpool – yes, he won the league – but he signed good characters. All of the players played for Liverpool – yes, they played for him because he signed them – but those players are going to play for whoever the manager happens to be, which is what they’re doing with Arne Slot.
“We’ve seen other clubs who, if they don’t like the manager, they don’t perform, and the fans don’t have a go at the players, they have a go at the manager. So, it stems from the players. I’m a little surprised because I didn’t really expect it to go this smoothly this quickly.
“The problem with Manchester United isn’t the fans having a go, it’s the players not buying into what Ten Hag is asking of them. Ten Hag, all the previous Manchester United managers, they’ve all wanted to bring their own style, but the players haven’t committed.”
