Slot AVOIDS mistake, Kelleher PRAISES and Carragher DEFENDS Southgate

Here’s a roundup of Liverpool news from Monday 15th July, including some intriguing headlines regarding Arne Slot.

ARNE SLOT WAS PRAISED FOR AVOIDING ERIK TEN HAG’S MISTAKE

Recently retired Dutch footballer Bram van Polen has praised Arne Slot for not making a key mistake that Erik ten Hag made at Manchester United.

Van Polen hung up his boots at the end of the 2023/24 season after a remarkable 17-year career with PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands, playing alongside Slot during the Liverpool head coach’s spell at the club between 2010 and 2013.

Van Polen has praised Slot for not signing too many Dutch players upon his arrival at Liverpool, and Ten Hag has signed several Dutchmen in recent weeks for his squad and support staff.

“It is also dangerous for Ten Hag to gather so many Dutch people around him. It is not clear whether that is sensible,” says the 38-year-old.

“You’re a little scared. But then you think: ‘Here we go again. Since he’s bringing all those Dutch people, we’ll be worse abroad too.'”

“I think Slot is very aware that you shouldn’t hire all the Dutch players at once. A certain image is created and, in part, this has to be avoided.”

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CAOIMHIN KELLEHER OFFERS ENCOURAGING PRE-SEASON UPDATE

Caoimhin Kelleher has provided an encouraging update on Arne Slot’s first pre-season as Liverpool head coach, with the Reds now just a month away from the start of the Premier League campaign.

New Liverpool FC manager Arne Slot and Liverpool Sporting Director Richard Hughes at the AXA Training Centre, Liverpool, UK on 5 July 2024. For editorial use only, Copyright: xIanxStephenx PSI-19931-0003

To date, the pre-season cohort is largely made up of young players, but there are also more experienced players available to Slot.

One of them is reserve goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been giving his first impressions of the Dutch manager and his training methods.

Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Kelleher said: “It’s been really good, really enjoyable. Obviously the first few days were just testing and stuff, then we get into the actual training sessions, which have been really good.

“(Slot) has been excellent so far. He explains in great detail what he wants us to do, there is a lot to learn, but he gets his messages across very well and is easy to understand, which is a big help. His sessions are intense and he motivates us, which is always good.

“So far it’s been really nice, I must say.”

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Jamie Carragher defends Gareth Southgate

Jamie Carragher has defended Gareth Southgate over England’s performances at Euro 2024 despite the Three Lions boss largely ignoring Liverpool stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Despite playing poorly throughout the tournament and having a lot of luck, England reached the Euro 2024 final against Spain. However, their luck ran out on Sunday night, when they fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat against the most impressive team in the tournament.

Southgate has been widely criticised throughout Euro 2024 for his team selection and tactical approach, with his loyalty to underperforming players and negative playing style frustrating supporters.

For example, Alexander-Arnold, England’s most creative player, clocked up just 134 minutes for his country, most of which were spent in midfield. Joe Gomez, who enjoyed a breakthrough season at Anfield, did not play at all.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Carragher made a series of posts about England’s final defeat to Spain but largely backed Southgate despite his poor performance.

“Sven (Goran Eriksson) played 442 minutes, Fabio (Capello) was too strict, Gareth is too defensive. It’s funny that it’s always the coach’s fault, isn’t it?! The fact is that our top players didn’t show up at this tournament. And at other tournaments in previous years,” said the former England international, who has 38 caps.

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LIVERPOOL-LINKED CHILD WONDERS JOIN PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Liverpool are on the verge of missing out on the signing of young centre-back Dean Huijsen, while Paris Saint Germain are close to completing a deal for his signature.

Dean Huijsen AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal, Serie A Tim, Frosinone Calcio vs AS Roma, Benito Stirpe Stadium, February 18, 2024, Frosinone, Italy.

The Reds have been linked with a possible move for the 19-year-old in recent months, with the Dutch-born defender having shone in Serie A last season.

The 1.94m giant has understandably attracted the attention of Europe’s elite clubs, including the Reds, but a move to France appears close to being finalised.

Tuttosport had previously reported that PSG were edging closer to a deal with the youngster but that Juventus were seeking €30m (£25m) to sanction an exit.

With the French champions only offering €20m (£17m), there was still work to be done despite Huijsen having agreed to a move to Paris.

However, La Stampa has now revealed that PSG are preparing another bid for Huijsen and that the player and his team are incredibly eager to join the Champions League semi-finalists.

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