When it first became obvious that Arne Slot would be leaving Feyenoord this summer and moving to Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, the Dutch and UK media started to link multiple players with a switch from Rotterdam to Merseyside.
Then there was something of a backlash in the Dutch media, with pundits who aren’t scared to share opinions telling Slot to forget taking a bunch of Feyenoord players to Liverpool, or even a bunch from the Eredivisie, because he could find out they aren’t good enough in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag’s difficulties at Manchester United were used as an example and there were repeat warnings to Slot about signing multiple players he’s familiar with.
One of the Feyenoord players linked most is Lutsharel Geertruida. A few weeks ago, he was given a “greater than 50%” chance of moving to Anfield this summer.
The gist was that with his Feyenoord contract having little more than a year left to run, a summer exit would work for everyone, and Liverpool looked the likeliest destination.
Able to play anywhere across the back-four, the 23-year-old defender was seen as a great opportunity and one that Slot wouldn’t want to miss.
Well, he’s now been speaking himself, and is quoted by 1908.nl as saying: “I simply cannot give a clear answer to the question of whether Excelsior at home was also my last match.
“There is little to say about it yet. What I do want to say is that it is nonsense that I would have asked for a lot of money to sign. There is no longer any talks about a contract extension. Those kinds of things are then thrown into the media and that’s annoying, because it’s not right.
“The appreciation for the trainer was evident. He has changed a lot and we have made great leaps forward in terms of football. I was a defender, but played a lot in midfield. Slot has been very important for my career.”
Talks having stalled over a contract renewal means Feyenoord will be under pressure to sell Geertruida and likely at a reduced rate.
