Arne Slot confirmed as Jürgen Klopp replacement with huge Liverpool task awaiting new head coach

Liverpool has confirmed the appointment of Arne Slot as its new head coach. The Dutchman has penned an three-year deal at Anfield and will lead the post-Jürgen Klopp era after arriving from Feyenoord.

Klopp announced his plans to step down back in January with Liverpool's search for his successor immediately throwing up Xabi Alonso as a leading candidate. But the ex-Reds midfielder has opted to stay with Bayer Leverkusen, having won the Bundesliga title this season.

Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi also emerged as potential alternatives but Liverpool has instead moved for Slot, who led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season. The Dutchman will take charge on June 1, subject to receiving a work permit.

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His side finished second this time around but has lost just twice in the league while also lifting the Dutch Cup. Liverpool approached Feyenoord in April, looking to strike a compensation deal, with Slot not having a release clause.

An agreement was eventually reached with the Reds paying around $12m (£9.4m/€11m) for the 45-year-old's services. Personal terms were not an issue, with Slot making clear his desire to leave Feyenoord for Liverpool from the off.

Slot announced last week that he would be taking charge at Anfield and Klopp then endorsed his successor on Sunday. During his farewell speech, he started a chant for his replacement before urging Liverpool fans to get behind Slot.

"When the next season starts you are not waiting to see what’s going on, no you go full throttle into it. You welcome the new manager like you welcome me. You go all in from the first day," he said.

Slot had spells in charge of SC Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar before taking over at Feyenoord and this will be his first job outside of the Netherlands. Slot is likely to appoint assistant Sipke Hulshoff as his No.2, with other key figures joining his backroom team.

The Dutchman will work alongside Liverpool's new sporting director Richard Hughes, who will now officially arrive at Anfield. The pair have some big decisions to make in the transfer window, with several key players coming to the end of their deals.

Both Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip are leaving this summer after their contracts expired. Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will all be free agents in 2025 as things stand, with calls on their futures a priority.

Liverpool.com says: This is a huge appointment for Liverpool after the Reds bid farewell to Jürgen Klopp. It is now about looking forward, not back, and Liverpool fans must throw their support behind the new man at the helm, just like Klopp asked. It is going to be a tough task for Slot but he deserves this opportunity and is inheriting a very talented young squad. The future looks bright.