'I've been Liverpool manager and this is my biggest piece of advice to Arne Slot'

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, who won the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, has urged Arne Slot to ensure that he fully understands the culture of the club when he arrives from Feyenoord this summer — exactly as Jürgen Klopp did.

"No matter what you think you know, you have to learn quickly what it means to be the Liverpool manager," Benítez wrote in a column for The Telegraph. "Every game you are expected to win. Then, if you are winning and playing well, there is an expectation that you will win by three goals."

Slot, though, has already moved to play down the pressure that will arrive when he joins Liverpool on June 1. "That would also have been the case if I had stayed at Feyenoord," he told Algemeen Dagblad last week. "Expectations in De Kuip are also high. People expect good football and good results. That has often been successful, but as a trainer, you are constantly working on that."

READ MORE: Liverpool winners emerge from Premier League season as Arne Slot faces three big decisions
READ MORE: Mohamed Salah responds to Arne Slot appointment with clearest Liverpool transfer hint yet

When he comes in at Liverpool, however, the level of scrutiny will be completely different. As one of the biggest and most-viewed clubs in the world, Slot will need to make certain that he is ready for the relentless nature of the job. That was something that was a surprise to David Moyes when he moved to Manchester United, and that signaled the beginning of the end before he had even properly got going at Old Trafford.

"Another big aspect of the job is dealing with the media," Benítez continued. "You cannot ignore what is said or written about Liverpool, or what they call ‘the noise’. It is impossible. Sometimes you need to know what the pundits are saying because you will be asked about it in the press conferences. It is better to be educated to prepare.

"The difficulty now is the power of social media with so many people who do not have a clue about football giving misinformation. That is more of a complication and you must separate the views of the majority of supporters from the few who shout loud.

"That means communication is massive, as is connecting with the true supporters. There are many people at a football club with different titles, and many may think they are the ‘boss’. But there is only one person whose face is always in front of the fans once, twice or three times a week in press conferences, before and after the game.

"Coping with that pressure is massive and so is sending the right message. My biggest advice to Arne, or to any manager, is he must be himself while understanding the culture of the club and the city he is coming to work."

Liverpool.com says: Benítez is absolutely right. It will be a big step up for Slot in terms of scrutiny and pressure and that is the biggest question that hangs over the Dutchman as a Klopp replacement.

He clearly fits nicely tactically and has a personality that fans are likely to warm to, but until he has spent some time in the job, it won't be possible to know exactly how well he will cope with the demands. There is no amount of data or background checks on his character that can determine that with 100 per cent certainty.