One of the most iconic Liverpool FC banners on The Kop will be given an update this summer after Arne Slot won the Premier League title at the first time of asking.
Wrapping up the league title with four games to spare after taking over from Jurgen Klopp last summer, Slot added his name to an illustrious list. And the face of the Dutchman will soon be added to a famous flag that can be seen flying before each home game.
Six cherished Liverpool managers — Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Rafa Benitez, and Klopp — are already on the flag in question. But Slot, officially the head coach, will be added ahead of the new season to recognize his major achievement.
The banner belongs to Dublin-based Liverpool supporter Paul Larkin, who set up the Irish Kop, an online forum, in 2003. He spoke to The Athletic about it and why it was important to add Slot’s face this summer.
“Some people think it’s too soon, but the criteria has always been that if you either win the league or the European Cup, you go on it,” Larkin said. “The majority who help out with the banner think we should get it updated, and I agree with them.
“Not many clubs put managers on a pedestal the way we do. Most clubs have banners just about current or ex players, but Liverpool is different.”
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Klopp’s relationship with Liverpool and its supporter base was certainly something special. While Slot is still in the early days of his tenure, really, he has attuned himself well with the local culture — and winning straight away has definitely helped.
Reflecting on the title win before the game with Arsenal at Anfield, Slot said: “Thank you for the unbelievable scenes that followed our last home game. Thank you to those who took the party to Stamford Bridge last week.
“The support, color, passion, noise and joy that our supporters have created over the last two weekends is something very special. In my experience of football so far it is also unique.
“In these moments we are reminded why we work as hard as we do and why this club means as much as it does to so many people. This makes winning together such an incredible experience and it is one that all of us would like to recreate in the future.
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“But — and I hate to be the person who comes with a ‘but’ in a situation like this — as well as enjoying everything about our achievement, we now have to start climbing the mountain all over again.
“This is Liverpool Football Club and our aim should always be to go one better and today’s game gives us an opportunity to do this. For that to happen, we need absolute focus and total motivation.
“We also need the full Anfield experience because at its best, the atmosphere in this stadium will always push our players on.
“None of this is to say we should not enjoy what we have done this season. It is just that the best way of enjoying it is by being the team, the club and the supporters that have won the Premier League.”
Liverpool.com says: Slot has done a great job so far at Anfield. He deserves his spot on the banner and for his name to be sung loudly. There is, though still a lot, lot more to come.
