Arne Slot to Liverpool confirmation moves a step closer as one issue resolved

Arne Slot has moved a step closer to be unveiled as the new head coach of Liverpool after one issue that needed to be resolved was taken care of and confirmed by the Dutch national team.

The Netherlands have confirmed via their official website that Sipke Hulshoff, Slot's assistant at Feyenoord who also worked with the national team, has stepped down from his international role. That should pave the way for him to move to Anfield.

Hulshoff was in line to go to the summer's European Championship with the Dutch side, which will include Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo. Ryan Gravenberch could also be under consideration to play.

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But Hulshoff has now resigned from his post on Ronald Koeman's staff. He will be replaced by Dwight Lodeweges meaning that Slot's right-hand man can move to Liverpool sooner and face no delay.

It had been reported by the Daily Mirror last week that Hulshoff's commitments were one of the issues holding up an official announcement from taking place, with Slot not yet having been confirmed as Klopp's successor. But it appears that roadblock might just have been lifted out of the way.

Another issue was said to be that while a deal worth $14m (£11m/€13m) has been agreed to bring in Slot as Liverpool's new head coach, Feyenoord wants an additional $2.5m (£2.0m/€2.3m) for the coaching staff who are expected to join the 45-year-old on Merseyside. It is unclear at this stage whether that is still a sticking point.

"There are a combination of factors why there is no announcement yet," Slot said in the last few days. "But don't worry. It will happen."

Liverpool.com says: Slot getting the right people in around him will be vital for him to be successful at Anfield. The Dutchman needs people around him that he knows and trusts, and will also have the likes of Michael Edwards and Julian Ward back in the fold after they were brought back by FSG. The post-Klopp era is taking shape and it could be an exciting and interesting summer.