'I'm a Liverpool icon and disagreed with Arne Slot appointment - this is my opinion now' - The Mirror

Arne Slot has enjoyed a dream start to life as Liverpool manager with the Reds currently top of the Premier League table after winning six of their opening seven games

Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has admitted that Arne Slot has exceeded his expectations, despite initially expressing doubts about the Dutchman's ability to manage such a large club. Since replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summer, Slot has had an impressive start at Liverpool. Currently leading the Premier League with six victories from seven matches, the ex-Feyenoord coach has also made waves in the Champions League with Liverpool currently sitting on six points in the revamped league phase after defeating Italian teams AC Milan and Bologna in recent weeks.

Despite a surprising home loss to Nottingham Forest - the only stain on Slot's record so far - morale is high at Anfield. However, not everyone was confident about the Dutchman taking over from Klopp, including former Red Nicol, who previously criticised the size of Slot's coaching CV. Nicol also questioned whether he was the right person to guide Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League success. Despite these significant challenges still being in their early stages, Slot has shown tactical savvy and calmness both on the touchline and in post-match interviews that Liverpool fans have fully embraced.

It appears that the former Reds full-back has also revised his opinion on the new manager, reports the Liverpool Echo. "I can't turn around and say I expected it (on Liverpool's nine wins out of 10)," Nicol said to ESPN UK. "Most of us, including myself, were expecting some teething problems."

"Clearly, there was going to be some sort of a shift from Jurgen Klopp to Arne Slot. But they've managed to do it while winning games, and that's the key.

"And how secure does Arne Slot sound? He's saying all the right things and is really confident. He's not afraid to say what a great squad he's been left behind by Klopp. He really sounds like a guy who knows what he's doing and what he's talking about. He wants to be remembered for what happens at the end of the season when they are picking up trophies."

Back in April, Nicol, a legend who snagged four league titles, three FA Cups and the European Cup with Liverpool back in the '80s voiced his scepticism, suggesting the Reds needed a more commanding presence to step in after Klopp. He praised Slot's coaching finesse but expressed doubts that a successful stint in the Dutch Eredivisie, boasting a league title and KNVB cup, gave him enough clout to take over at Anfield.

"Is that the resume of somebody to lead a club the size of Liverpool back to the Premier League title and the Champions League? I mean, I can't honestly say that," Nicol had said earlier in the year to ESPN. "All the other boxes have been ticked, the way they play the game, the way he goes about it, he's going to be able to coach.

"But is it really a resume to take over one of the biggest clubs in the land? I'm not sure it is, but what are the alternatives? This one's difficult, don't you think, because, number one, there's not a Klopp out there."

Former Liverpool greats and fans alike have been warming up to the new 45-year-old coach, similar to Nicol's recent change of heart. However, the end of the international break marks the beginning of a daunting period for Slot at Liverpool with a series of challenging fixtures ahead.

The Reds' resolve will be tested by upcoming matches against Manchester City, Arsenal, Newcastle, and Aston Villa, all while juggling pivotal Champions League face-offs with giants like Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. Despite Slot's promising start at Liverpool, his toughest challenges lie ahead.

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