Liverpool have identified Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as the man to replace Jürgen Klopp.

Slot is now the clear front runner to take over at Anfield and although there is work to be done to strike a deal, Telegraph Sport understands the Merseyside club will intensify their interest in the 45-year-old over the coming days.

Slot has become one of the most coveted coaches in Europe, with Liverpool aware that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also interested in the Dutchman. 

Despite that competition, Slot is understood to be enthusiastic about the prospect of building on Klopp’s legacy.

Feyenoord are prepared to fight to keep their coach, and Liverpool will need to engage with formal talks with the club and Slot’s representative, Rafaela Pimenta, to conclude a recruitment process which has significantly advanced in recent days.

Slot’s name rose up a managerial shortlist which has been dwindling over recent weeks.

Former Kop favourite Xabi Alonso ruled himself out by choosing to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, while the likelihood of Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim moving to Anfield receded, the club having decided to move on to alternatives following initial interest in the Portuguese coach.

Slot was pursued by Tottenham Hotspur last summer, but rejected the chance to move to the Premier League and committed his future to Feyenoord. It was felt then that it was only a matter of time before he joined one of Europe’s top clubs having already turned down a number of opportunities.

Slot rose to prominence after guiding Feyenoord to only their second Eredivisie title success this century last season. Last weekend he added the Dutch Cup to his honours list.

One of the attractions of Slot is the style of football achieved on a modest budget. A year ago, he was being talked about much like Alonso in the Bundesliga in 2024, as Feyenoord took on and beat Ajax and reached the Europa League quarter-finals. A year earlier he led the club to the first Europa Conference League final.

Slot shifted perceptions of Feyenoord from a dull, defensive side to one of the most exciting in the Eredivisie. He has been described as a football disciple of Pep Guardiola, with a coaching style similar to Mikel Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi. 

De Zerbi has also been referenced as a contender for the Anfield post.

Liverpool’s recruitment process is being overseen by Michael Edwards, who recently returned as owner Fenway Sports Group football chief executive, with sporting director Richard Hughes. Hughes officially starts in his new role this summer, but will undoubtedly have a huge input in the identity of the next manager.

As an up-and-coming coach whose achievements give the impression he is punching above his club’s financial weight, it is easy to see why Slot has so many admirers at Anfield.