The pros and cons of Arne Slot, Liverpool's potential Jurgen Klopp successor

Last winter, Jurgen Klopp sent shock waves throughout Europe when he announced he would be stepping down as Liverpool's head coach at the end of this season.

Slot, 45, became the talk of Europe when he led Dutch club Feyenoord to a European final in 2022 and a domestic title in 2023. He's consistent, likable and driven toward aggressive and attack-minded tactics. While he has proved his worth on the European circuit, Klopp's shoes are big ones to fill.

Here are the pros and cons of Slot's candidacy as he negotiates a potential contract with Liverpool's management team:

PRO: Slot prefers working with young players. 

Liverpool's academy has turned out stellar prospects under Klopp, from Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones. 

Liverpool's laser-focus on developing – and keeping – its young players is one of the key things that differentiates it from its domestic competitors such as Manchester City. Slot's managerial career in the Netherlands has seen him follow the same youth-focused model. He has played a number of young players who have gone on to earn starting places.

If Slot is hired, Liverpool fans can rest easy knowing their academy will be in safe hands.

CON: Slot is a Pep Guardiola acolyte. 

The modern Liverpool-Manchester City rivalry is fascinating because of how different Klopp and Guardiola – the Man U coach – are in style. Where Klopp prefers what he calls "heavy metal football," Guardiola prefers a cool and composed possession-based system. 

Slot will change this dynamic for the worse. He's a Guardiola fan and his interpretation of that style could pale in comparison to the genuine article.

PRO: Slot is maniacal about physical fitness. 

Few coaches in Europe take fitness more seriously than Slot. In his mind, being the fittest team on the field gives him two ways to win: first, through tactics, and second, through outlasting his opponent. 

Liverpool's tough schedule means that fitness could be an even greater differentiator there than it has been for Slot at Feyenoord.

CON: Slot struggles against "bus parkers." 

While Slot's Guardiola-inspired tactics are breathtaking to watch as a neutral, they have a glaring weak spot: They crumble against highly defensive-oriented teams. 

Feyenoord fans got a lesson in this when they faced Jose Mourinho's Roma in the Conference League final in 2022. Roma played an incredible defensive game and won 1-0.

If it had only happened once, fans would forgive Slot. But it didn't just happen once. Slot's Feyenoord never beat Roma in five tries.

There's a huge skill gap in the Premier League that causes many smaller teams to adopt Mourinho-esque defensive tactics against top sides like Liverpool. Slot may find his tactics exposed against those smaller clubs if he comes to English shores.