The Feyenoord player Arne Slot ought to sign with Liverpool is already identified by Dirk Kuyt.

Geertruida

This summer, Arne Slot will take Jurgen Klopp’s position as manager of Liverpool after leaving Feyenoord.

After learning that Arne Slot would take over as manager of Liverpool for the upcoming season, many fans are already wondering whether other Feyenoord players might be joining the Dutchman at Anfield.

On Friday night, it was announced that Slot’s current employers and the Reds had come to a deal so that the 45-year-old would take over as manager of the team this summer.

As is typical of rookie managers, they are eager to add players who are already familiar to them as they start to establish their identity with the team. Whether Slot follows the same route as Erik ten Hag did in acquiring Antony and Lisandro Martinez from Ajax to Manchester United is still up in the air.

Dirk Kuyt, who managed the Feyenoord under-19 team from 2018 to 2020, was one Feyenoord player who was renowned for his success at Liverpool. Kuyt trained a number of Slot’s squad members during that period.

Orkun Kokcu

Orkun Kokcu was one of the two players Kuyt specifically mentioned wanting to see at Liverpool when he spoke with the ECHO in April 2023. Benfica later signed the Turkish midfield player, while Kuyt’s second recommendation is still with Feyenoord.

The player in question is Lutsharel Geertruida, the club’s vice captain and a versatile backline player. At just 23 years old, this might prove to be a cunning move for Slot this summer.

“I support Feyenoord, and they’re doing great right now,” Kuyt declared in an ECHO interview from the previous year. “They have Arne Slot as a very excellent manager, and some of the younger lads, like Lutsharel Geertruida and Orkun Kokcu, are making a lot of progress and playing really well. It won’t be long until elite European teams start showing interest in them. I sincerely hope Liverpool is considering Feyenoord players, and I can serve as an example.

Both Kokcu and Geertruida were on my team when I was the under-19s coach. We were competing against players like Kenneth Taylor and Jurrien Timber of Ajax. You are aware of the skilled players and can predict that they will have bright careers. Everyone thought Gakpo was a gifted player and that one day he would play for a team like Liverpool after seeing him play at the young level.

Geertruida last signed an extension in 2021, therefore her contract expires in the summer of 2025. Liverpool may benefit from the fact that the defender just has one year left on his contract if they choose to pursue a trade.