Thomas Frank insists he spotted subtle changes Arne Slot has already made to the Liverpool team he inherited from Jurgen Klopp during Brentford’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield.
Slot’s side collected their second win of the season thanks to goals in each half from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah as the Dutchman made a positive impression on what was his first competitive game in charge of the Reds on home soil.
Liverpool’s lack of activity in the transfer market means in terms of personnel not much has changed since the end of last season, but Brentford boss Frank insists he can already see signs of the direction Slot wants to take his team in.
He said: ‘It is the same players, they have been playing the same way for eight or nine years, not all of them but a lot of them.
‘They still have crazy quality all over the pitch. They are still dangerous on offensive transitions, they scored two goals from that.
‘There was a few little bits in the structure and the build up play – they were the bigger differences.’
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk, meanwhile, revealed he has been enthused by the early weeks of the Slot era, even if he is not yet ready to discuss his future beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.
‘The time with Jurgen is amazing and the time with the new boss is a joy and he has a certain way of playing,’ said Van Dijk. ‘We work a lot on so many good things and you see a lot with and without the ball that gives confidence to the team.
‘We have to, I won’t say forget about the Jurgen period, but that is in the past and we had an amazing time and now it is a time for the new boss to hopefully be successful. That’s why we have to focus on that, not have comparisons and all of this stuff in my opinion.
‘We don’t have new players so far but obviously [I have] that extra responsibility because I know the players inside and out.
‘But I am here for him [Slot]. I told him that from day one and I will help them and the backroom staff. I want to be successful and we are in the same boat. There is extra responsibility there.’
Asked directly about his future and the prospect of imminent contract talks, Van Dijk added: ‘I am very calm. The thing is, I want to play the best season I can. I want to be important and stay important for the club, then we will see.
‘Everything happens for a reason but for now, there have been no changes in my situation. I am very calm about it and there is no reason for me to start thinking for something else. I have a whole season left to play.
‘I am proud and [Anfield] is home and it is a special place and what I said before, whatever happens in the future, Anfield is a special place in my heart. Let’s see what the season brings.
‘I am not playing football to lose or not become successful. It is not guaranteed but I want to win. We know how difficult that is.
‘But playing for Liverpool, one of if not the best clubs in the world, there are expectations. I am really enjoying it so far and there is still so much to improve. Let’s see what the season brings.’
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