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Arne Slot hadn't even got as far as the door for the press conference room, when he was given a glaring reminder of what to expect from his first pre-match grilling as Liverpool head coach.
Stepping down the stairs from his office heading towards the gathered media throng, it was impossible for the Dutchman not to catch sight of the huge television screen positioned in the middle of the reception area at Kirkby.
It broadcasts only one channel - Sky Sports News, whose relentless obsession with the transfer window can be evidenced by the number of shows dedicated to such matters
Slot:
"The whole day is talking about football, so there is a lot of speculation constantly in this country!" laughed Slot shortly afterwards. "That is clear for me."
Liverpool have always maintained a chief reason for Slot being appointed was his ability to extract even more the current squad
even he would have perhaps expected the Reds to have brought in at least one new face before the Premier League season begins
And it wasn't long before the Martin Zubimendi situation was addressed,
Slot pragmatic in his assessment the Spaniard was a player Liverpool identified but ultimately didn't want to come, and there wasn't much else the club could have done. He has already moved on.
Slot was relaxed speaking to the media, and comfortable enough to take gentle umbrage at questions he didn't believe were entirely fair
One assertion that not making a signing has weakened the squad was instead turned on its head by pointing out the Reds at the very least are at the level they reached last season
Yes, he doesn't quite possess the charisma of predecessor Jurgen Klopp - then again, who does?
there was the occasional glimpse of laidback humour that will perhaps become a feature when he gets his feet under the table.
Slot also addressed the debate over Alexander-Arnold's position in the team.
Slot
"Trent is known for playing as a right full-back for all his life, I think, and when he was a youngster he played in midfield,"
“In the modern game, you see a lot of full-backs going into the midfield – that is what he did last season once in a while and I saw him playing in the Euros (in) the midfield.
"So, I think he is capable of playing both positions really good and then it's up to me where I think he could help the team the most."
Slot, then, is ready to stamp his own identity on the team.
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