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Andreas Kornmayer, Vitor Matos, former manager Jurgen Klopp, Pep Lijnders and Jack Robinson of Liverpool after the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on February 25, 2024(Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool's former elite development coach Vitor Matos has hailed the work of Arne Slot and his own staff as 'exceptional'.

Matos worked under Jurgen Klopp for five years at Anfield.

January 26, 2024, is a day that will stick in the memory of all who hold Liverpool dear.



Anfield was led in a chorus singing: "Arne Slot, na na na na na!"

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His replacement had not been officially confirmed beforehand out of respect to Feyenoord finishing their own season, but it didn't take long after Klopp's genius play.

But it’s not easy to come to Liverpool, a big club, and replace Jurgen, someone that was so loved by everyone.

"What (Slot) has done is exceptional, of course.

Not all the games – there were different approaches in different games depending on dynamics.

"Some dynamics were already there in the past, some were new, in terms of the positioning of the full-backs or strikers and the 10 sometimes as well, and even defending a little bit differently in terms of where the press starts on the pitch.

"The most important thing is that there is a clear idea, and this clear idea is possible to achieve with the squad he has and it is possible to have consistently good performance.

"That says a lot about Arne and a lot about the whole club on the moment as well."

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Manager Jurgen Klopp (centre) with Pepijn Lijnders and Vitor Matos (right) of Liverpool during a training session on December 13, 2022 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Before the start of this season, the 22-year-old's role was undefined as Liverpool made a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

However, Zubimendi could not be persuaded to leave his boyhood club and Gravenberch has ended up stepping into a prime role in Slot's system, making all 41 appearances so far this season.

"You can see players in different roles and one of those is Ryan Gravenberch, who is doing an outstanding season as a number six," Matos said.

"That is something that completely improved by itself the offensive game, in terms of how the ball moves, how the ball breaks lines, and the direction he can give with one touch.

"Sometimes this kind of thing happens – a need creates an opportunity and this creates a beautiful idea," Matos analysed.

"But we all – especially Jurgen and Pep [Lijnders] – were big believers in him.
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