Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag

Arne Slot has spoken about Erik ten Hag (Image: YouTube Liverpool FC)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed that he does view Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as a ‘friend’.

The Dutchman has made a sensational start to life in the Anfield dugout, guiding his side to a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season and then another 2-0 win over Brentford last weekend.

Slot now has his sights set on making it three wins from three in impressive style as his side head to Old Trafford to face United, with fellow Dutch manager Ten Hag hoping to put an end to his opposite number’s good form.

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Asked on Friday about his relationship with the Red Devils boss, Slot sang the praises of the former Ajax manager. He said: “It's good and normal as relationship as I have with others. The relationship I would call it very good, we all respect each other because what the managers did at their former clubs.”

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But probed on whether Slot would regard Ten Hag as a friend, the ex-Feyenoord boss reasoned that he doesn’t know the United boss well enough to view him in that way.

Slot continued: “No, friends is something else but a very good relationship. A friend is someone you see a lot and go to dinner, we don't know each other well enough.”

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The 45-year-old went on to speak about how he is well aware of how fierce Sunday’s match is set to be, especially given that his side are away.

“When we played them in the States it was 50/50 and 80,000 but the atmosphere will be different,” he continued. “I am not expecting half the stadium to cheer for us. What makes it different is the teams have a lot of different players on the pitch.

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"Some people tell me a few things about this fixture but when you work at Liverpool, everyone knows how important this game versus United is. It's similar to how important Ajax against Feyenoord is but I know the importance of Liverpool versus United."

It remains to be seen whether Slot shakes up his ranks ahead of the trip to the Theatre of Dreams. New signing Federico Chiesa joined the Reds earlier this week though it is ‘unlikely’ that he will be fit enough to be named in the matchday squad.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag

Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag

Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag

Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag

Liverpool boss Arne Slot shares why he is 'not friends' with Man Utd rival Erik ten Hag