Arne Slot will face Jürgen Klopp bogey team next season as Liverpool nemesis strikes again

Arne Slot will test himself against the very best next season as he prepares to take over from Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager. The Reds mounted an unlikely title challenge this term, which ultimately fell short in the final weeks of the season.

But there is reason for optimism going into next year. This talented young squad will be stronger for the experience and it is hoped that the incoming Dutchman will revitalize Klopp's players and attempt to go one better.

That won't be an easy feat. Manchester City and Arsenal remain locked in a battle for this season's title and don't look like going anywhere, anytime soon. You would also fancy Manchester United to improve in the summer following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent investment.

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But Slot will now also have to get the better of a new rival, who has been something of a bogey team for Klopp over the years. Leicester City suffered a surprising relegation to the Championship last term but has now secured an immediate return to the top-flight.

The Foxes, led by Enzo Maresca, claimed the title by beating Preston on Monday night and will now be looking forward to next season back in the Premier League. That return does come with the threat of a points deduction though, after being charged with alleged breaches of Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

It is reigning champions City who has the best record against Klopp in Premier League matches since his appointment in 2015, beating Liverpool on five out of 18 occasions. Given its title successes under Pep Guardiola, that will hardly come as a surprise.

But next in line is Leicester, who has beaten Liverpool four times in 16 matches (25 per cent) since Klopp's arrival. Liverpool has won 11 of the other 12 but has remarkably performed better against top four rivals United, Arsenal and Chelsea, than the Foxes.

Those defeats include a 2-0 setback in Leicester's title winning-campaign before losing 1-0 in December 2021 at the King Power Stadium. That was just one of two defeats suffered by Liverpool that season, as it missed out on the title by a point.

Foxes skipper Jamie Vardy, who could get another crack at the Premier League at 37, scored eight times in those matches and proved to be a real nemesis to Klopp. He scored twice against Preston to take his tally to 20 in all competitions.

Speaking in 2019, Klopp told Liverpool's official website: "Leicester always likes playing against the top sides. A lot of teams struggle against them and Vardy. I don’t know exactly why Jamie has that good a record against us. He’s a very, very good player and that’s the main reason why he is such a threat.”

Leicester will have a point to prove after being promoted, and while Slot will be primed to challenge the likes of Arsenal and City, Klopp would be wise to relish his successor about the other challenges that await.