Paul Ince names Liverpool squad 'issue' facing Arne Slot and sends one piece of advice

Paul Ince believes that it is crucial that Arne Slot manages Liverpool in his own way.

Slot has the challenge of filling the gargantuan void that Jurgen Klopp has left behind at Anfield. Klopp served as Reds boss for almost nine years and etched himself into club folklore. He guided Liverpool back to the pinnacle of European football and won seven major trophies along the way - including the Champions League and the Premier League.

Slot was identified as the right man to succeed Klopp. Prised from Feyenoord - where he won the Dutch title and cup in his three years - officially took charge as the club's new head coach on 1 June and Liverpool's players will start to report back for pre-season at the beginning of next month.

Former Liverpool midfield Ince believes Slot will face challenges in terms of Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s futures - both see their respective contracts expire next year. But he’s confident that Kopites will give the Dutchman a fair crack at the whip.

Liverpool would’ve started their search for a manager six or seven months ago, but what concerns me is looking at when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United,” Ince told bet365.

“Whoever came after Sir Alex was going to have a poison chalice because you've got to kind of replicate what he had done. I think that was probably the downfall of David Moyes,who is a fantastic manager but he just couldn't succeed.

“Although he didn't have the finances and they didn't really back him the way they should’ve done, since Sir Alex Ferguson left, it's always been like a poison chalice for everyone.

“So many different types of managers have come in and they’ve struggled and got nowhere near to the level of Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Hopefully it's not the case, but you kind of think it's just going to be the same thing with Arne Slot at Liverpool. He is coming to a massive club, who expect to be up there challenging for the Premier League. They expect to be challenging for every trophy and expecting him to replace Jurgen Klopp. You can't replace Jurgen Klopp.

“He has to be a man with his own ideas. Other issues he might face is whether Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah stay at the club, all these players have had relationships with Klopp for so many years and you could see how much they loved Klopp. You could see the passion they've got for him and the respect.

“So my issue is what players are going to want to stay, what players are going to want to leave. Does Mohamed Salah go to Saudi Arabia? Does Van Dijk stay? And I'm sure there'll be clubs out there thinking we might have a look there.

“But listen, I know the fans will be backing Arne Slot to the hilt and wanting him to do well, the Liverpool fans are some of the best fans in the world. When you come into their club, you're part of their family. You don't really see Liverpool boo any fans or boo any players. They're just a loyal set of supporters.”