Klopp's reaction to seeing that Arnet Slot has Liverpool first and can be champions

Jürgen Klopp, in his emotional farewell to Anfield last May, left much more than indelible memories. Among his final words as Liverpool manager, he conveyed a message of optimism and confidence in the future of the club, placing blind faith in Arne Slot, even before the Dutchman was officially announced as his successor.

After the 2-0 victory over Wolves that closed the 2023/24 season, Klopp addressed the 60,059 fans present at Anfield, urging them to welcome change with open arms: "Change is good, you never know what to expect," he said. "But if you approach it with the right attitude then everything will be fine, the right foundation is 100 per cent there. That's the team and the new manager, the manager. Imagine next season starts and you're not waiting to see what happens, no, you dive in head first! You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me. You give it your all from day one!"

These meaningful words resonated strongly with Liverpool fans, evoking memories of bygone eras and generating a torrent of positive comments on social media. One fan, moved by nostalgia, compared the situation to the handover between Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, while another recalled Klopp's constant insistence on faith and belief, claiming to have been one of the few who remained hopeful of challenging for the league this season.

At that time, although it was not yet official, Arne Slot's name was already hovering over Anfield, generating a wave of support and enthusiasm among fans. Klopp, with his characteristic vision, already saw the success the Dutchman could bring to the club.

And he was not wrong. Slot's start in charge at Liverpool has been simply spectacular. The team has catapulted to the top of the Premier League and Champions League, displaying an almost flawless performance. Their only defeat in all competitions this season came against Nottingham Forest in September.

The recent 6-3 win over Tottenham further consolidated Liverpool's lead in the Premier League, securing top spot for the Christmas period. However, despite the four-point lead over Chelsea and a game in hand, history suggests caution.

Stats reveal that in the Premier League era, Christmas leaders have only won the title half the time in 32 seasons. Liverpool themselves have experienced this "Christmas curse" on six occasions, a reminder that there is still a long way to go.

Despite this statistic, Klopp's words about the solid foundation of the team and Slot's ability resonate strongly. The legacy of trust left by the German seems to be bearing fruit, with a Liverpool that inspires and aspires to great things under the Dutch coach. The future looks bright at Anfield, thanks in part to the vision of a man who saw the potential of his successor long before anyone else.