I was Arne Slot’s assistant - don’t expect him to be like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

Former Feyenoord assistant coach Marino Pusic says Liverpool have chosen well in selecting Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor but has told fans not to expect the same touchline demeanour as the German exuded.

Pusic worked beside Slot for five years, helping Feyenoord lift the Eredivisie title last year. The pair remain good friends and the Croat is pleased to see his Dutch associate get the job at Anfield.

Pusic has described Slot as passionate and keen to build up relationships with fans and players. However, he says the incoming head coach will exert these traits differently to the energetic and animated manner in which Klopp made himself an instant hit.

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Speaking to The Telegraph, Pusic said: “You will not see him running to the stands and jumping and that kind of thing. He’s switched on, very much focused on the details.

“He has a lot of deep thoughts about the game, about the development of the game and is an amazing coach — he showed that already in Holland, but not only in Holland, also in the games we played in the Europa League and the Champions League and also in the Conference League.

“It doesn’t mean if you’re not running in front of the stands that you’re not passionate enough; it’s not a good comparison. Nobody’s the same. Every person, every coach is unique in his own way.

“Arne is calmer, he has of course a lot of passion for the game and he always has nice interactions with the people. He has a lot of feeling for good atmospheres in stadiums and appreciates the fans a lot. He finds it very important to cherish the club and the team.”

Pusic backs Slot to impress at Liverpool, and says he is the right fit for the role. He underlined how the manager makes a point of looking after his players and stressed his commitment to the job.

“I think, following football all over the world, that Liverpool did a great job by signing him. I think it fits perfectly to Liverpool," Pusic, now manager of Shakhtar Donetsk, added.

“General philosophies are always changing or adapting to circumstances. But in general, his philosophy is a dominant way of playing. What does that mean exactly?

“It means the proper build-up from the back, finding the right spaces, getting good players in good positions to exploit their talents and qualities, with a lot of intensity, pressing.

“Of course, Klopp also played with a lot of energy, a lot of aggression… good football. So, in that way I think the people on Anfield Road will for sure see good football. What you can expect is of course professionalism, 100 per cent.

“He’s a great person. I don’t believe a good coach can be a bad person. He takes care of his environment, of his players. He’s a dedicated coach, working very hard 24/7.”