Hyypia ‘confident’ about future under Slot

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia is “confident” his former club have the right successor for Jurgen Klopp and isn’t worried about the lack of transfer activity this summer.

Hyypia, who won six major trophies at Anfield including the 2005 Champions League, is travelling with the squad as an ambassador on their pre-season tour of the United States.

After meeting Slot ahead of his first friendly against Real Betis in Pittsburgh, Hyypia is feeling positive about the appointment.

“I got to talk to him briefly on the flight and he seems like a confident, nice person,” Hyypia told BBC Sport.

“He is a bit different than Jurgen was but I am confident we made the right choice for Jurgen’s successor. Of course, it will be hard. It will be hard.

“I think Arne knows what kind of task he has. It shows something about him that he likes the challenge and even he knows it might be difficult but he has inherited a great team with good individuals and youngsters coming through.

“We will see similarities on the field but also maybe some slight changes. I don’t think Arne will play exactly the same way. I think everyone at the club and fans as well are behind him. He won’t have much time with his whole squad so we need to be patient as well.”

The Reds are the last team in the Premier League not to sign a player, but Slot said he would be “surprised” if his side didn’t sign anyone by the end of the summer transfer window.

The slow activity has left some supporters frustrated but Hyypia urges calm around the situation.

“I am not worried at all that we haven’t signed a player yet,” he added. “The window is open for a while still so we will see, or Arne will see, if we can get a player we need to strengthen in a certain position.

“Everyone needs to come back and then we can assess the situation a little better.

“Arne said in his press conference yesterday that he has a good squad and we are waiting for the right player. If you don’t find one, then it is better to do nothing.

“We are in a good position and have a good squad able to compete at the top of the Premier League.”