Arne Slot shrugs off kick-off concerns, aims to distinguish himself from Klopp

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has addressed concerns about his team’s ability to perform in early kick-offs, taking a light jab at his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.

Slot, who has enjoyed an impressive start to life as Liverpool boss, leading the team to the top of the Premier League table, dismissed the notion that playing at 12:30 pm could negatively impact his side’s performance.

In his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Crystal Palace, Slot downplayed the significance of the kick-off time, humorously stating, “If 12:30 pm was such a difficult time to perform, I must be a stupid manager because we train at 12 o’clock every day!” Slot’s comments subtly contrast with Klopp’s vocal frustration over early matches, with the former Liverpool boss previously labelling the 12:30 pm kick-offs as “criminal.”

Slot’s focus remains on the challenge posed by the Premier League’s away fixtures, emphasising that it is the difficulty of these games, not the kick-off time, that presents the real test. Liverpool, who have won five out of six league games this season, are set to face a struggling Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park, a team still searching for their first win of the season.

Despite playing a midweek Champions League game, where Liverpool secured a 2-0 win against Bologna, Slot has not used the congested schedule as an excuse, demonstrating his confidence in his squad’s ability to stay sharp. The Dutch manager’s possession-based approach and cool demeanor have already made him a standout, with many noting that he has had the best-ever start of any Liverpool manager in the club’s history.

As Slot aims to maintain Liverpool’s dominant form, all eyes will be on the clash against Crystal Palace to see if his relaxed attitude toward early kick-offs will pay off.