Feyenoord star drops hint he’ll be Arne Slot’s first Liverpool signing after being spotted at West Ham clash
FEYENOORD star Lutsharel Geertruida has hinted that he could become Arne Slot’s first Liverpool signing.
The manager is expected to take over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
Liverpool agreed a compensation package worth approximately £9.4million for the Dutchman to be bought out of his contract in Rotterdam last week.
And the club’s first signing under the new manager could be his Feyenoord vice-captain.
The defender was at the London Stadium to watch the Reds as they drew 2-2 to West Ham on Saturday.
Geertruida, 23, posted a picture of the ground on his social media.
He was believed to be sitting in the Liverpool away end.
The Dutch star has played a key role in the club’s triumphs in the Eredivisie last season and the KNVB Cup last weekend.
Geertruida is prominently used in the defence but he can also play at the base of midfield.
His main position is at right-back and he would provide strong competition to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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This would be the case unless the Englishman makes the permanent move to the midfield role that he has been played in this season.
He is rated at £25million and is a regular for the Netherlands national team.
Slot looks on course to be joined at Anfield by his right-hand man Sipke Hulshoff.
The Reds are also keen to poach Feyenoord’s head of performance Ruben Peeters and analyst Etienne Reijnen.
The confirmation of his appointment is set to be announced imminently.
Klopp said of Slot’s expected arrival: “I’m not involved in the process, just to clarify that.
“What I like a lot about it, if he is the one, is that he really wants to take the job. He is desperate. So, ‘Come on, let’s go for it.’ Excited.
“I like the way his team plays football, definitely.
“All the things I hear about him – some people I know know him, I don’t know him yet – but some people tell me that he’s a really good guy, and I like that a lot.
“So, good coach, good guy, looking forward for the club. If he’s the solution, or the man, then I’m more than happy.
“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Obviously now, I help even by not finishing on a high – it looks like – so there’s space for improvement.
“It’s a great job, fantastic people. He would take a really interesting job.”
Slot snubbed Spurs, hates defending and has a PASS named after him
By Dan King
LIVERPOOL managerial target Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.