SLOT OF RESPECT

Arne joins City boss Pep in hailing Saints' Martin

- SIMON MULLOCK

LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot is the latest fully paid-up member of the Russell Martin fan club.

Martin's Southampton team are bottom of the Premier League after winning just one of their opening 11 games - and already look on course for an instant return to the Championship.

But Slot has joined Pep Guardiola in voicing his admiration for the 38-year-old Saints manager for sticking steadfastly to his principles despite coming under huge pressure to be more pragmatic. "I have a lot of respect for Russell but I would admire any manager that has different principles and just keeps on doing what he believes in," said Slot ahead of his table-topping team's trip to St Mary's today.

"I don't think it's about being an elite manager. I think that as a manager you have to believe in something and, in my opinion, stick to that plan.

"If your plan is that you want to defend the whole game or all season, then stick to that plan, because you believe in it.