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'Not for me' - Richard Keys fires bizarre Arne Slot rant at Liverpool amid Michael Edwards claim

Richard Keys
Richard Keys -Credit:beinSPORTS


Richard Keys has launched a bizarre rant against Arne Slot, claiming Liverpool is about to make the ‘same mistakes’ Manchester United did with Erik ten Hag. The former Sky Sports host has also claimed Michael Edwards will have a bigger role at Anfield after Jürgen Klopp’s departure.

Liverpool looks set to name Slot as its new manager soon. A deal for the current Feyenoord boss is expected to be finalized as he prepares to take over from the outgoing Klopp.

Keys though is not impressed by the appointment. The 67-year-old, now working for beIN SPORTS in Qatar, has compared Slot to his fellow countryman Ten Hag, whose future at Old Trafford remains uncertain after an underwhelming season.

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"I believe Liverpool are about to make the same mistakes that Utd did," Keys said in his blog. "Arne ten Slot. Really? Not for me. And I’m not alone. There isn’t a Liverpool fan that I’ve spoken to isn’t totally underwhelmed by the news ten Slot is going to replace Klopp.

"Ok. Let’s cut him some slack. I accept we don’t know. It could turn out to be an inspired appointment. But I’m not convinced.

"Why ten Slot? (I know that’s not his name but he’s mini-me isn’t he?). I guarantee you we’ll hear all the same things they said about ten Hag when Liverpool finally unveil their man. What you won’t hear is an admission that he wasn’t first choice. Or that his record in Holland isn’t even as good as ten Hag’s was."

The appointment of Slot has been directed by new FSG CEO of football Edwards, who has returned to the fold after previously working as Liverpool’s sporting director. Despite Richard Hughes being appointed to take up Edwards’ old role, Keys believes the latter is still set to have a big say at Anfield.

"In amongst the things I’ve read about him so far was a revealing line that ten Slot will not be ‘manager’ at Anfield," added Keys. "He’s going to be ‘head coach’. Why is that significant? Well I believe because it cements Michael Edwards’ position as ‘head of football’.

"Edwards has only recently returned to Liverpool after a two-year absence. Perhaps it’s just coincidence he’s back when Klopp is leaving? But I don’t believe it is. Talk to insiders and they’ll tell you he left after a fall-out with Klopp, who ended up running Liverpool from top to bottom. Quite simply — Edwards lost the power struggle.

"There is no way Edwards would’ve returned to the club unless he had assurances about having total control of all football matters. That meant he’d be working with a coach — not a manager. Whether he’s chosen the right one only time will tell."

Liverpool.com says: Keys hasn’t really paid attention to Edwards’ new role, has he? The former sporting director is set to head up FSG’s football department with a view to a multi-club portfolio, not just Liverpool. He will of course still have a big say on what goes on at Anfield, but that won’t be his primary role, although Keys is perhaps right that Klopp’s departure may have played a part in Edwards returning to the fold.

As for his opinion on Slot, talk about counting your chickens before they’ve hatched. Liverpool clearly has a more solid plan in place than United did when it hired Ten Hag, and the Reds hopefully won’t fall into the same trap of paying over the odds for players just because they’ve played under Slot.