'He's showing': Julen Lopetegui gives his verdict on the job Arne Slot has done at Liverpool so far
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Liverpool take on West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday as the Reds begin to defend their final trophy won under Jurgen Klopp.
Despite having lifted seven major trophies with Klopp as manager, Liverpool were never able to win any of them back-to-back.
That’s the challenge that faces Arne Slot in the League Cup as the Dutchman aims to extend Liverpool’s record-breaking history in the competition.
The Liverpool head coach has taken everything at Anfield head-on since taking over the position vacated by Klopp during the summer, with five wins and one loss representing a very good start indeed.
So far, Slot has gotten the better of Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Erik ten Hag and Andoni Iraola in the Premier League, as well as Paulo Fonseca in the Champions League.
Next up is Julen Lopetegui, who takes his team to Anfield in a poor run of form. And as he prepares for Wednesday night’s game, Lopetegui has been giving his thoughts on his opposite number in the dugout.
Julen Lopetegui gives Arne Slot verdict
Slot has cut an impressive figure during his opening month of competitive action at Liverpool.
The Liverpool squad appear at ease with his management, while the Premier League and Champions League table suggests things are going well so far.
For Lopetegui, he has also had the task of replacing a long-serving manager this summer. The Spaniard took over at West Ham following five years of David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Although Moyes was not universally loved at West Ham, he did win the Hammers their first ever European trophy and regularly had them finishing in the Premier League’s top eight.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI in the Carabao Cup against West Ham as Arne Slot makes nine changes
While a similar level may have been expected under Lopetegui, it has not happened yet. After five games West Ham have won just one, drawn another and lost three.
Hoping for a reprieve at Anfield, Lopetegui was asked in his pre-match press conference for his thoughts on the job Slot has done since his own arrival in the summer.
“Liverpool are a big, big team around the world and I think that they are being managed this year by a very good coach, too,” answered the former Spain boss.
“He’s showing that he’s trying to continue the work of the last years, making his style because each coach is different. I think that they are doing very well.”
Arne Slot confirms one starter against West Ham
Liverpool beat West Ham on the way to lifting the Carabao Cup last season. The Reds swept the Londoners aside 5-0 in the quarter-final at Anfield.
Slot will be hoping for a similar result this time around but looks set to make a host of changes to the Liverpool XI.
While speaking in his own pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Slot confirmed that Caoimhin Kelleher is set to start for Liverpool, making it back-to-back appearances for the goalkeeper.
Slot also suggested that Federico Chiesa could start for the Reds, in what would be his full debut.
Meanwhile, Lopetegui indicated that he too would make changes in what could look like two very different XI’s at Anfield.
