Emotional Slot happy to deliver special moment for faithful

Liverpool manager Arne Slot after the Premier League win over Spurs. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire. 

ARNE Slot last night revelled in his new role as a living legend among Liverpool managers, having delivered the first league title the club's supporters have seen in 35 years.

The win over Tottenham clinched a second title since 1990 but the last, five years ago, took place behind closed doors. Now, the first Dutchman to win the Premier League, has assured himself of a place in the club’s famous history.

“That is so, so, so special,” he said. “The moment I knew I would become the new head coach over here. That's already a moment where you're so proud to be part of such a great football club.

“Then now to be part of the history of this football club is is something, I think I could have only dreamed of two three or four years ago.

“The only moment I was emotional today was when we arrived at the stadium to see what it meant for the fans, for these people.

“For us to have a chance to win it was really special but it felt, we still have to do it. But everyone inside that bus felt if the fans were with us, which they are, it was impossible to lose this game of football.

“During the game, after the game, it has been incredible how supportive the fans were and how the players played. Special to be part of this day.” 

Slot enjoyed brief celebrations with Liverpool owner John Henry who made the bold decision to appoint him to replace Jurgen Klopp last summer - although the manager could not remember what was said on the final whistle!

“Probably ‘congratulations!’ I don’t remember exactly what he said but it was special for them as well to be part of this moment,” he said.

“For them to trust me in this position, maybe now everyone says it makes complete sense but the moment they signed me, maybe not everyone was as convinced as everyone is now.

“So that tells you what a special club this is because that they don’t always go for the most simple or obvious choice.

“They make the choice that is best for the club. It must be a special time for them, second time in five years that they win the league and to do it in front of our fans is special, including for them.” 

Mo Salah joined the praise being heaped on Slot, crediting him with transforming his game.

"He is very honest. The Dutch are quite tough but he made our lives easier,” said Salah.

"You can see the numbers. Now I don't have to defend much. The tactics are quite different. I said ‘As long as you rest me defensively I will provide offensively.’ So I am glad that I did. He listened a lot and you can see the numbers.

"When you play in the Premier League you have to defend but I said that I can gamble and somehow I can make a difference. My number of assists shows that, you can create chances as well."

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk admitted that he is already looking forward to lifting the Premier League trophy, in the final home game against Crystal Palace on May 25.

“Today, it was an emotional day for me and my family because, I think the whole week was quite slow, it takes ages before match day,” said van Dijk “I think every Liverpool fan around the world probably felt like that, and then you see so many fans already in red outside getting ready from early on.

“And I just wanted to get the job done and I'm very, very happy that we did and when the moment is there that I can lift the trophy in front of our beautiful supporters, then I think I will be very emotional.”