Arne Slot sent Liverpool message as final verdict given before Jurgen Klopp switch

Feyenoord technical director Dennis te Kloese has lauded Arne Slot as he prepares to takeover at Liverpoool.

The 49-year-old lauded the Dutchman, addressing the De Kuip crowd after their 4-0 win over Excelsior in their final Eredivisie outing. Goals from Gernot Trauner. Ondrej Lingr, David Hancko and Lutsharel Geertruida ensured that it was a winning send-off for the Feyenoord boss.

On Friday, Slot confirmed that he would be leaving the 16-time Dutch top-flight champions and revealed that he would replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. At the end of April, the Reds reached an agreement with Feyenoord to crown the former AZ Alkmaar as the Germans' successor.

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The 45-year-old doesn't have a release clause in his contract, and following talks with the Eredivisie side, a compensation package worth up to £9.4m was agreed.

Speaking after their final day triumph, Te Kloese said Slot's imminent Premier League fills the club with pride. He said: "Arne, Saying goodbye is always difficult, sometimes sad. But in this case, the pride and good feeling prevail.

"We are incredibly proud that you have been our trainer for three years. We wish you all the best and we sincerely wish you this step.

"On behalf of everyone here in the stadium and everyone who is not there and who cares about Feyenoord: thank you so much and incredible good luck. You deserve it."

Following Klopp's bombshell announcement at the end of January, a number of replacements have been mooted. Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi and Pep Lijnders were tipped, however Slot was earmarked as the preferred successor to lead the Reds into a new era.