I've seen what Arne Slot is like in Liverpool dugout - it's clear how the players feel
John Arne Riise has highlighted Arne Slot's calm demeanour as one of the primary factors behind Liverpool's success this year. The Dutchman has amassed a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table which was maintained by beating Bournemouth 2-0 on the south coast.
This gap will widen to nine if the Reds beat Everton in the re-arranged Merseyside Derby on February 12. Slot, 46, also has the opportunity to take Liverpool into the League Cup final on Thursday, albeit while having to overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Many were unsure how he was going to fare after moving from Feyenoord to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer. But after meeting him on several occasions and closely watching his behaviour in the dugout, Riise has pinpointed where Slot has been so effective this year.
READ MORE: Milos Kerkez to Liverpool transfer Deadline Day claim made after Arne Slot admission
In an exclusive interview with the ECHO, while speaking on behalf of Bet365, Riise, who won the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup over the course of seven years at Anfield, said: "Well, I think everybody was a little bit excited and didn't know what to expect, really, when he arrived.
"Obviously, we didn't know that much about him, apart from that he did really well at his former club. But he just came in with a calmness.
"I've been lucky to meet him a couple of times now while at Anfield and the way he speaks, how he looks on the bench during the games, he looks so in control. He knows what he's doing.
"The players are responding to his tactics in training, so he looks like he and his coaching team are really taking the players into it and they love it.”
There were few expectations on Slot this year, particularly after his first transfer window ended with the club only bringing in Federico Chiesa from Juventus. But after topping the Champions League table with seven victories out of eight, as well as maintaining their place at the Premier League summit, Riise thinks there is no limit on what can be achieved this year.
The Norwegian added: "I think, as myself and many others, are a little bit surprised by how well they've done in both the Premier League and in the Champions League. I think they play outstanding football.
LFC: Join our WhatsApp community, sign up to a newsletter or listen to our podcasts _HERE
"Arne Slot has come on with some ideas and really changed, well, just kept going from Jürgen Klopp and made it even better. So, I think they can go all the way.
"But I think it's going to be tough because, obviously, the Champions League is only two games and a lot can happen. But I think in the Premier League, for sure, I think we're going to win."
John Arne Riise was speaking on behalf of bet365, Official Global Partner of the UEFA Champions League. To celebrate the partnership, bet365 is giving away free tickets to the knockout phases as part of The Big UEFA Champions League ticket giveaway. Visit www.bet365.com for more information.
