Rene Meulensteen: Back Arne Slot, Stand By Eddie Howe, and Arsenal Are Champions in the Making

Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports, former Premier League manager Rene Meulensteen has argued Arne Slot should be backed at Liverpool, making the comparison with Jurgen Klopp and assessing whether Malen or Van Hecke would be good signings this summer.

Rene has also warned Newcastle to be careful what they wish for and has praised the work of Eddie Howe at the club and offered his perspective on Harry Wilson’s form.

Elsewhere, he assesses the title race following Arsenal’s dramatic win over West Ham, declaring them “champions in waiting”.

Liverpool

Is Keeping Arne Slot the Right Call?

I'm sure Liverpool will admit that they have been disappointing. When I saw their recruitment strategy, and obviously the whole Isak saga, which became a saga and has become a bit of a failure for them, I didn't understand the fact that they let Diaz go. That was one thing that surprised me. But they brought in Isak and Ekitike , and all the signs in the first five games were pointing in the right direction. Hard to put a finger on it, but definitely the Isak saga has played a role in that respect; they haven't found the same sort of fluidity.

I think Slot has built massively on Jurgen Klopp when he came in, and rightly so. He made the players adjust to this and keep doing what you're doing because you've been successful. They were so dynamic, so energetic. However, at some point, they've gone a little bit too slow, too laboured. The possession and everything. So that whole energetic, intense, dynamic style that Klopp had has disappeared. And they've not realised it, I think, themselves. Then obviously they've got a lot of injuries and whatever that comes with it.

They have to be careful, though, because last year they won the league in great fashion. I maintain that, and I was the one that said I think Slot will do a great job. Because I know him, I like him, and I like his thoughts about football. And sometimes managers go through a little bit of a poor spell, which they have done. Then the key is to stick with him and to make sure he can put it right.

Jürgen Klopp had a spell where they really couldn't get it going because they had all this mental and physical fatigue. Don't read too much into it. The key is that the people behind are fully supportive of the manager, that they believe he's the right man, and that he's got a good transfer window to bring Liverpool back to what it was. Then the start of the season is so obviously important.

Donyell Malen to Liverpool?

Arne Slot knows a lot about Donyell Malen , and he is bang in form. However, he came to Aston Villa, and he never really cut it there. Unai Emery gave him the opportunity to leave for Italy . Italy is a different kind of competition, and he's done really well there because managers are obviously there to find the qualities that he needed for their team, and he's used them to his strength. He is quick, he's direct, and he can basically play in every position up front.

But the Premier League is a different kettle of fish; it's more physical, you have to have so much more. Personally, I wouldn't see it. Don't go and find another Mohamed Salah , like Harry Wilson , a left-footed player or a Jarrod Bowen from West Ham . Find somebody that can make a difference in that position and how they do it. I'm not saying that Malen couldn't, because I'm sure that Slot would know a lot about him, as he's from Holland . Slot would definitely have him on the radar in that respect, but I think sometimes players move to a league and it suits them better than playing in the Premier League , and he's possibly one of them.

Could Van Hecke Replace Van Dijk at Liverpool?

Micky van de Ven has also been linked; these guys have proven their worth at Premier League level, at a good standard. Looking at Manchester United , they should be after these players. I really can't understand the reasoning why they gave Harry Maguire another contract. They've got Lisandro Martinez , they've got Matthijs de Ligt , Ayden Heaven , but they need stability. There's no stability there. Senne Lammens has come in, and he's done well in his own right, definitely, but that triangle of the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs is massive to get right; there's been a lot of chopping and changing. Van Hecke , what he's done and the things that he's performed, he would warrant a move to both Man Utd and Liverpool .

Newcastle

Would Newcastle Be Making a Mistake to Move On From Howe?

Unless you are 100% convinced that a change will be better for the club, the manager, and the fans, people need to be really careful what they wish for. I rate Eddie Howe really highly. I love Newcastle , the club, the fans, the atmosphere they create, and the type of football they want to play. Howe doesn't want anything different. He carries himself really well; he's an honest and genuinely good manager. People have to realise what he's brought to the club.

They want a trophy after so many years, but he managed to get them into the Champions League twice. Those things, especially the Champions League , take their toll. When a big group is together for a long time, sometimes mental fatigue creeps in. Nobody can put a finger on it, nobody will admit it, saying no, no, no, we're still working hard. But it's there. What Newcastle needs is not a new manager; they just need to be livened up, they need new blood, new players.

The recruitment process is again questionable because they were forced a little bit with the late departure of Isak , and then they brought in Wissa and Woltemade , which hasn't really worked. There are plenty of players out there in the Premier League that would improve them. I'm sure Howe has got a good idea about it. I would be surprised if Newcastle were to part ways with him, because I still think that he's done a magnificent job. He's just had a really tough year, a tough season, but I think he's got all the attributes to get it back on track.

Harry Wilson's Form

It's not necessarily that Harry Wilson has dropped off, really. The opposition has just marked him better. When you do your preparation, who's the key player? Harry Wilson . So what do you do? Don't give him the ball. When he gets the ball, get tight. Stop him from getting into dangerous areas. Stop him from doing what he's good at. He's not dropped off; he still tries to do the same thing, but he's not given the opportunity by the opposition.

Good players, really top players, will always find a way to get through that to some extent. Harry is a really good player. The level of Aston Villa or Newcastle would obviously be a step up for him, definitely. He's obviously been at Fulham for a while now, and he might be looking for a move. That's what recruitment is all about; you need to look beyond, you need to understand the player, you need to understand where he's going to make the difference and how. I think the opposition has definitely singled him out, because since they've done that, Fulham have not been as productive.

Arsenal's Title Push

Arteta and Sir Alex: Similar Touchline Characters?

The fact that they got it over the line against West Ham was so important because I thought that game was the most important in the run-in. West Ham are obviously fighting for their lives. I thought if there was any hiccup in their running, because they've got Burnley left and Palace , maybe Burnley have got a little bit more energy about them, but they've got nothing to play for because they're relegated. I can't see that happening, and I think Arsenal have too much quality.

But the West Ham game was a concern, because West Ham has always been a bit of a bogey team for Arsenal . They've lost against them before. So when I saw that game panning out, nil-nil, and it's dragging on, I thought, here we go. Then they got that goal in the 86th minute. That is also a sign of champions in the making; they find a way to win, and that is what Arsenal have done.

All that hoo-ha about it, don't get me wrong, it's only my opinion personally, and for the players of Arsenal , because they've worked hard and are committed, I wouldn't mind for them to get it over the line. I'm not too big of a fan of the manager's antics and everything. What you just saw with the players surrounding the referee is a bit of a reflection of how the manager is, in my opinion. I'm not hiding from that fact, because Sir Alex Ferguson was also a person at the time who, when he felt it was necessary, made sure he was helping the team, because that is how they see it. They see that they are helping the team to make sure that they get what they need.

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