Arne Slot, the new head coach of Liverpool, has revealed details about FSG’s stealthy transfer strategy.

Much may be gleaned as new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot gave a few indications about his Anfield design.

The hard work does not begin here. It was only a brief aside during a lengthy welcome interview, but Arne Slot quickly allayed the anxieties of the more concerned Liverpool fans.

Slot’s radio silence since being confirmed as the next Reds head coach had some fans concerned, especially given how chatty the Dutchman had been on the matter when still in charge of Feyenoord.

That, however, was just the 45-year-old gently answering inquiries about the situation. And it was the same display of respect, this time for his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, that convinced Slot to wait until Wednesday before Liverpool fans heard from the new manager and got a first view of his footballing principles and practices.

Slot, on the other hand, hasn’t only been sunbathing himself on a well-deserved family vacation in Ibiza in recent weeks. And, while it appears that little has been occurring at Liverpool, developments behind the scenes tell a little different narrative.

This was clear on Wednesday, when the Reds’ manager disclosed several more members of his new backroom team during his conversation. The appointments of Sipke Hulshoff as his assistant and Ruben Peeters as Liverpool’s head of performance were anticipated, but Fabian Otte was named the club’s new head of first team custodian coaching.

Slot also unwittingly addressed another issue that had piqued interest since it was revealed his title would be head coach rather than manager, especially given the complete overhaul of the football operation with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group in preparation for what is expected to be a multi-club model.

While prevalent in Europe, the post of head coach is viewed with mistrust in England. For traditionalists, the manager remains the manager. By definition, any other title implies the opposite. While there is never a genuine concern about tampering with team selection and tactics, the same cannot be said for transfer deals.

But Slot hit them on the head with his references to new Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes, who detailed regular talks about the squad, including new signings, potential sales, and contracts, which is relevant given the situations of Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah. Slot will undoubtedly be as active in recruitment and squad planning as Klopp was.

It also illustrated the changing power dynamic between Liverpool and FSG. Michael Edwards has returned to the fold as FSG’s chief executive of football operations, but it is apparent that he will not be as involved in the Reds’ day-to-day operations as he was in prior capacities. Hughes now takes on that responsibility.

Slot, who came across well in the interview and appeared to be easygoing and friendly, is not Klopp. But then, who is? To his credit, the new guy was unafraid to mention his predecessor, exposing conversations between the two and the impact the German’s approaches had on his own coaching. Slot, on the other hand, was determined that, for all of the counsel he received from the former Reds manager and suggestions gleaned from observing old training sessions, he would be entirely his own man. Rather of tossing history out of his rucksack, Slot keeps the pieces he requires before ascending his own mountains.

Indeed, the top in question is high. The tone of Slot’s interview was one of building on what he had inherited, with a throwaway statement noting “we would all like to see Liverpool a little higher than third place.” Rather than shying away from ambition, Slot embraces it.

One thing that hasn’t changed with the change of manager is the emphasis on pre-season, even if the impact of the European Championships and Copa America means preparations won’t be ideal. Liverpool has three games scheduled in the United States this summer, with more to come. It is unlikely that there will be a training camp overseas with work limited to the AXA Training Centre, but games behind closed doors at Kirkby are not impossible. The Reds seek to schedule a last friendly at Anfield before the Premier League season begins against Ipswich on August 17. If not, Slot’s debut match at his new home ground will be against Brentford the following Sunday.

“There is a change, but hopefully it isn’t that big,” says the Reds manager. “We still have the same players and fans, and if they both do the same job, it will make my life much easier! I expect them to return in the future season, as will the players.”

Evolution, not revolution, was the watchword during Klopp’s final year in command, and it appears to be the most accurate description of what Slot hopes to achieve in the near future at Liverpool – albeit very much in his own image. The hard work has only just begun.