Arne Slot exclusive: 'There was nothing wrong with my self-confidence' – Liverpool boss on fast start

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Liverpool have lost just one competitive game since Arne Slot arrived at Anfield. The Dutchman replaced former manager Jurgen Klopp after several successful seasons with Eredivisie side Feyenoord. The Reds take on German side RB Leipzig this evening, and Slot admits his confidence is sky-high after his time in Holland and a successful start to life at Anfield.

'Came very close' - Slot on taking over from Klopp and similarities in their style of play

Video credit: TNT Sports

Arne Slot believes his confidence-boosting stint with Feyenoord has helped him hit the ground running as Jurgen Klopp's successor at Liverpool, but said offering the squad a "new voice" has likely helped too.

Slot led his former side to the 2022–23 Eredivisie title before helping them qualify for this season's UEFA Champions League.

The Dutchman has made a flying start to life at Anfield, losing just one game in all competitions, a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest.

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However, he believes the strong start to life at Liverpool is due to the positive experiences he had with Feyenoord, and the similarities between Klopp's playing style and his own.

"The good thing for me is that I had some good seasons before I started over here," he told TNT Sports ahead of the trip to RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday - available to watch live on discovery+.

"There was nothing wrong with my self-confidence. I knew that the way I wanted to play with this team came very close to the way Jurgen [Klopp] played with this team. So just bring your own personality in.

"Jurgen did so well, everybody is clear about that, but I can assume if I am here for three, four or five years they may experience something new and that might also be nice.

"Sometimes it is also good for players that they hear a new voice."

The Reds are currently 10th in the league phase table having won both of their opening two games and will soar up the table if they maintain their 100% record in Leipzig, where former manager Klopp is now the 'Global Head of Soccer'.

Slot believes the German assembled an excellent squad before leaving the six-time Champions League winners.

"That [the strong start] does have to do with the quality of the team that I inherited," he said.

"It is a very good start, a dream start would be winning all of them, but apart from winning the games in the league, in the League Cup and in the Champions League, I think we also had a very good pre-season.

"We missed a lot of starters, so that means we are a very difficult team to beat, and we have the quality to win a lot of games."

Szoboszlai prepares for Leipzig return

Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai will return to his former club for the clash, having played for the Red Bull-owned outfit between 2021 and 2023.

The Hungarian has played a key role in Slot's side, playing 10 games, scoring one goal and registering three assists from midfield.

Szoboszlai reflected on his spell in Germany ahead of his return to Leipzig.

"Two and half years, the first six months I was injured, but yeah very good memories," he said.

"There were ups and downs, but most of the time it was very good, so more ups.

"We won two cups, we could not win the league, but I think they have a very good chance to win the league somehow."

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Szoboszlai played one season under Klopp before the German stepped down.

He thought his former boss was joking after announcing he would leave the club in January.

"I will never forget that he had a meeting at 10:15 in the changing room to say that he was leaving the club," he added.

"Everybody thought it was a joke or that there were cameras somewhere, but no it wasn't.

"We are professionals, we had to deal with it, but in the last six months we did it for him."

Stream the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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