CRUYFF OF THE KOP

Slot copying a master

- DAVID ANDERSON

IT WOULD be easy to label Arne Slot as the new Jurgen Klopp because of the way he has succeeded the legendary Liverpool boss at Anfield.

But his true inspiration lies in his Dutch homeland and its gift of Total Football to the game.

If revered Dutch boss Rinus Michels is credited as leading exponent of the tactic, Johan Cruyff (inset, above) was the man who helped implement it to such great success, first as a player and then as manager of Ajax and Barcelona.

This is the style of football that Slot has brought with him across the North Sea from Feyenoord to Liverpool.

The Liverpool boss is the 10th Dutch coach in the Premier League and none of them has lifted the Premier League although they can boast four FA Cups and a Carabao Cup.

But Slot has made a flying start to life in the English top-flight, with three wins from three.

Former Dutch national coach Bert van Marwijk is full of praise for the way his countryman has stuck to his tactical principles.