By Tom Gott
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has acknowledged the pressure that comes with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, but admitted his desire to win trophies made his decision to accept the club's offer a simple one.
Klopp stepped down from his role at the end of last season, bringing a magical nine-year spell to a close, and the decision was made to lure Slot over from Feyenoord to take control of the team for the foreseeable future.
During his first press conference, it was highlighted to Slot that Klopp introduced himself as 'The Normal One' during his Liverpool unveiling.
Asked whether he had a nickname for himself, Slot explained: "I think it's not about what I tell you now, it's more special what Jurgen did for this club.
"When he arrived, he said he was the normal one but what made him special was the impression he left behind - winning trophies, of course, but his playing style as well. Maybe he said he was the normal one but the fans see him differently. What he did for the club was more than normal, let's put it that way."
Following in the footsteps of Klopp is not a move Slot took lightly, but the new boss was adamant it was not a tricky move to make.
"Not at all, actually. Yeah, there are big shoes to fill, but you can also look at it in a way that you inherit a squad and a team that has a winning culture," Slot explained.
"One of the reasons to come here - and there are more reasons than this - is that I do feel we have a really good team. As a manager, you want to work at a club where there are good players with the opportunity to win something, and the past has shown that there is the possibility for Liverpool to win some trophies.
"You can look at it as being the successor of someone really successful, but I look at it in a way that it is ideal because there is the opportunity to win something. I like to work with players, I like to develop them, but I like to win as well, and there is the opportunity at this club to win."
Slot revealed that he had spoken with Klopp this summer and thanked the outgoing boss for trying to get fans on his side by singing a song dedicated to Slot on his own Anfield farewell.
"We've spoken about many things, but the things we've spoken about stay between us," Slot said. "Him singing a song for me was special. There are not many managers that the fans sing for. I was fortunate that after a few years at Feyenoord, they started to sing for me.
"Coming over here, without even working here yet or winning a game, fans are already singing for me. That's a good start."
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Arne Slot explains why he accepted pressure of replacing 'special' Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
