Arne Slott is confident Erik ten Hag, who was sacked by Manchester United yesterday, will feature back at the big club “in the near future”.
Ten Hag was dismissed with United 14th in the Premier League standings and made little notable improvement during his two-and-a-half-year tenure.
Liverpool boss Slott remains close with his fellow Dutchman and said he was “sad” to leave Old Trafford.
Ahead of Liverpool’s EFL Cup tie at Brighton tomorrow night, he said: “It makes it even more difficult for me as a Dutch citizen because he is a Dutch coach. Your first thought is always him. We know it can happen because we’re all doing this. But if that happens – especially since I know him a little bit and know how much effort he puts in – it would be a shame to break the news to him.
“We, especially from the Netherlands, know how good he was at Ajax and he won two trophies here, so we may see him again at a big club in the near future.”
While Ten Hag has failed to win over his detractors at United, Slot continues to enjoy a honeymoon period at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp over the summer.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal means the Reds are one point behind Manchester City.
Next: A @Carabao_Cup South Coast 4th round tie
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 28, 2024
Injuries prevent reorganization
The EFL Cup also offers Slot the opportunity to refresh his team, but he admits he will not be able to make wholesale changes like he did against West Ham in the previous round.
“We have had injuries and I don’t think it is possible to do the same for the simple reason that I don’t have enough players to replace them all if I wanted to,” he added.
“With our schedule and the little time we have to recover away from our opponents, it could be a moment to see other players, but I think we have to see how fit everyone is first.”
Right-back Conor Bradley is likely to return to the squad, but Diogo Jota, Alisson, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa are absent.
Endo, start
However, Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo will feature and has impressed with his attitude in the slot this season.
“I think Wataru is one of those guys that could be in the lineup because the season is so long and we’re going to need him during the season, so he needs playing time every now and then,” Slot said.
“Luckily he has this ability with the national team, but sometimes it helps if he stays with us.
“I really liked him against West Ham and what I admire about him is his character, because twice he had to come on five minutes before the end of the game and sometimes in my managerial career I have seen players who have to come on five minutes before the end of the game. Because there are enemies, they come in with a negative face and play like that.
“Every time we need him, even for five minutes, he shows up for his teammates and for himself. He deserves to play tomorrow.”
