When Presidents and Prime Ministers leave office, it’s tradition to leave a note to their successor.
But when Jurgen Klopp left Anfield in the summer he left something a whole lot better than just words of encouragement to Arne Slot.
The Reds have looked transformed under the Dutchman, despite only one summer signing – the injured Federico Chiesa.
He’s had to deal with plenty of other injuries too, with star goalkeeper Alisson out, while Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez have missed at least one match.
There was even further bad news this week as starting centre-back Ibrahima Konate – hailed as the best defender in the Premier League by Arsenal legend Martin Keown – has been ruled out likely until the New Year.
And yet Liverpool sit top of the Premier League table, eight points clear of title holders Man City after just 12 games played.
Slot’s quick and effective implementation of his own ideas has left many impressed, with a title charge well and truly on.
And Liverpool legend John Barnes reckons Slot will be thanking Klopp for the attitude he cultivated in his tenure that has led to the current group immediately buying into new tactics on the pitch.
He told talkSPORT: “I was with them in America for pre-season because I’m a club ambassador, so I go around with the team mainly doing sponsor work and stuff.
“But in America, I was speaking to the players and they bought into what he [Slot] wants to do and it’s different to Jurgen Klopp.
“So therefore it’s the character of the players.
“We saw when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, it’s the same players, when Arsene Wenger left, the players will always drop a level when an iconic manager leaves.
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“[For players] the question is, who are [fans] going to boo if we lose?
“And as long as the answer is [they’re] gonna boo the manager rather than the players, the players subconsciously absolve themselves of responsibility.
“We’ve seen it with teams in the past where the same team and new manager comes in.
“But the biggest testament of what Jurgen Klopp has done is the character of the players that he’s left behind, which means that they bought into what Arnie Slot wants.”
A victory in midweek over Real Madrid in the Champions League – with young right-back Conor Bradley a thrilling star of the show – has seen fans’ belief in the team grow further still.
However, their next test is set to be the biggest of them all.
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An out of form Man City are next up at Anfield and on a six-game winless run.
But Liverpool have been warned by former Premier League star Troy Deeney that it could be a perfect storm for an upset, with the defending champions going into the showdown as underdogs.
“I think City are going to be better organised,” Deeney told talkSPORT.com.
“I think this is the perfect game for them. I know that’s a weird thing to say.
“But Liverpool just beat Real Madrid, so their fans are expectant. But this is the first time Man City have been underdogs in a game for the betting companies. So everyone is writing them off.
“I think they will be more together, more solid. I can see them nicking it, 2-1.”
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Deeney added: “People were telling me today, Arsenal are more favourites to win the league than Man City, and Man City are second. I don’t know what’s going on.
“And they still have the best striker in the world, right? I’m confused.”
