'Remember': Micah Richards now recalls what Arne Slot did early on at Liverpool, says it was 'brave'

11/11/2024 11:45 AM

Arne Slot is proving to be a huge hit at Liverpool.

The Dutchman walked into a very tough job back in June when swapping Feyenoord for Liverpool – tasked with replacing a man many consider to be the best Liverpool manager of the 21st century in Jurgen Klopp.

However, the 46-year-old has taken to life at Anfield like a duck to water, overseeing nine wins and a draw from 11 outings so far to put Liverpool top of the Premier League.

A position like this does not come without hard work as well as bold decisions, and Micah Richards has now revisited a “brave” call Arne Slot made back in August when speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast.

Micah Richards praises Arne Slot for replacing Jarell Quansah with Ibrahima Konate

You may recall Slot hauling Jarell Quansah off at the interval during a 2-0 win over Ipswich back in August, bringing Ibrahima Konate on in place of the Englishman.

The man born in Bergentheim later explained that the Liverpool No.78 was not injured, but simply failed to compete well enough in his battles, prompting him to be replaced by the France international.

Konate – who could sign a new contract soon – has since kept his spot in the starting XI alongside Virgil van Dijk, with the pair helping Liverpool concede just six goals in 11 Premier League outings so far this season, the best defensive record of any side by some distance.

Speaking about that call, Richards said: “I think Konate has been really good for them. Remember at the start of the season, he started Quansah, who wasn't aggressive enough. He (Slot) was a leader in saying, okay, no problem, you come off, I am going to put Konate on, started winning the headers, he stayed in the team. Not afraid to make those brave decisions.”

Arne Slot immediately set the tone at Liverpool

People should not underestimate this moment.

Making such a bold call just 45 minutes into his Premier League career showed everybody inside that Liverpool dressing room how high the standards are, and that nobody is safe from being dropped if they do not perform to the required level.

Since that mediocre first half against Ipswich, the Reds have arguably been the best team in Europe, so if Liverpool end up winning the Premier League this season, it may all have hinged on Slot’s firm treatment of Quansah.