'We spoke': Arne Slot explains what Pep Lijnders told him that has really influenced his training methods
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Liverpool’s decision to appoint Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp’s successor has proved to be an inspired call as the Dutchman continues to enhance his reputation with every passing game.
The Reds have secured 12 wins from 14 games under the leadership of the Dutchman and are just a point behind league leaders Manchester City in the Premier League standings.
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 1 | Man CityManchester City | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 9 | 11 | 23 |
| 2 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 22 |
| 3 | ArsenalArsenal | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 18 |
| 4 | Aston VillaAston Villa | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 18 |
| 5 | ChelseaChelsea | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 17 |
Slot’s training methods are different from that of Klopp, but the Dutchman admits former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders played a huge role in influencing his coaching philosophies.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares what Pep Lijnders told him
Lijnders is currently the head coach of Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg, with Klopp also set to be involved with the RB group in the coming months with his role as Global Head of Soccer.
Slot admitted that Lijnders’ ideas on the training ground influenced him when he was just starting out as a coach as he spoke about his early days in a conversation with former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
“I met up with Pepijn Lijnders, the former assistant of Jurgen who sat in this office,” said Slot to Westerveld in a wide-ranging interview at the AXA Training Centre.
“I did my courses and all these kind of things but I learned the most when it comes to training exercises because of that meeting.
“We spoke about his ideas, my ideas and how to transmit them to the players. It was interesting to me because he had similar ideas in terms of how he wanted to play and training sessions.
“He just made me creative by saying 'In this exercise, I've got this rule. In that exercise, I've got that rule'. And that just opens up a completely new world again because you can look at every exercise in a different way.
“What helped me the most was having conversations with different people and Lijnders was one of them.”
What has Lijnders previously said about Slot?
Speaking to the Daily Mail earlier this season, Lijnders lauded Slot for his stunning start to life at Liverpool, suggesting that the Reds did the right thing by appointing him to take over the reigns from Klopp.
“What is happening now with Arne, doing the job he is doing… wow, it makes me really grateful. I feel blessed to see it, the way the club is doing and performing on a really high level. Certain players are flourishing and making the next steps.”
“That was the whole idea of us leaving early, so this could happen and the club can continue to grow. I owe Liverpool everything. I owe the fans and players everything. It was my life. For 10 years, it was the only thing I thought about.”
