Liverpool boss Arne Slot has already called Man Utd star 'complacent and arrogant'

Liverpool fans are going to love what Arne Slot said about Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia.

The new Reds boss, who was officially confirmed as Jurgen Klopp's replacement on Monday, worked with Malacia for a year at Feyenoord prior to the defender's move to Old Trafford in 2022. The left back was more or less ever-present in Slot's team, but that didn't stop the Dutch manager from taking a few constructive swipes at him.

Back in 2022, Slot praised Malacia for being a "driving force" in his team, particularly when Feyenoord were losing, but insisted he was a little too reckless on the ball, and a little too childish off it.

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"When we're behind he is typically the player to try and force the issue, or to ignite a spark with a run or a tackle," Slot told Dutch outlet Bleed Orange. "[But] I do see him taunt opponents a bit too much.

"He almost shows too much of the ball, to get them to bite. At times, it's too much. He looks a bit complacent, arrogant even, at times. I talk to him about that."

Malacia has struggled since joining United for £13million nearly two years ago, though much of that is down to injury. The 24-year-old hasn't kicked a ball all season after undergoing surgery to correct a knee problem last summer.

The season before, he made 22 appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League, though just 14 of those were starts, with Erik ten Hag choosing Luke Shaw as his first choice left back. The United boss signed Malacia after being blown away by the defender during an Ajax vs Feyenoord match a few years back.

In a clip that went viral after Malacia's move was confirmed, Ten Hag can be seen telling his assistant Michael Reiziger to write Malacia's name down, commenting: "That kid at left back is amazing".

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