When Liverpool decided to move for Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, part of their thinking was the Dutchman’s similar style of play to the departing Reds boss.
“We were all inspired by Guardiola and Klopp and I think at a big club, which I worked in in Feyenoord as well, it is probably the only style you can play - to have the ball a lot, to have a lot of energy, and I think also now there are comparisons between the club I left behind and the club I am going to work for now.”
While the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, and Caoimhin Kelleher graduated from the Academy long ago, having long since established themselves in Klopp’s first team, last season saw Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah join them in the senior ranks, with the likes of Bobby Clark, Ben Doak, and James McConnell also becoming matchday squad regulars." a fantastic squad. A fantastic squad…,” the German pointed out in May.
Slot will understand it too, of course, otherwise he would not have been selected as Klopp’s successor. While a club’s academy stars are at the mercy of their manager to call upon them, club bosses know they already possess the talent down at Kirkby so needed a new head coach who would keep that door open.
Indeed, Minteh is now valued at around £40m and is expected to be Newcastle's lifeline as with the PSR deadline looming on Sunday.