British managers are underestimated in their own country according to Liverpool’s table-topping Dutchman Arne Slot.
On Sunday, Slot’s leaders travel to last-place Southampton whose Brighton-born boss Russell Martin is being criticised for sticking to purist principles during a relegation battle.
‘A lot has been said about English managers lately, with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, but I faced Gary O’Neil now who had a very good gameplan in my opinion.
‘This again is a very interesting manager, and in two or three weeks I will face Eddie Howe, who I know already is a very good manager. Maybe you are not in as bad a place as people make out.
‘I watched the games back he (Martin) played at Manchester City or Arsenal where I see very interesting and smart patterns of play. It was interesting how they handled the press.
‘Russell has his own style and believes in it. If you have a good idea about football, then results will come.’
Though Martin won 29 caps as a player for Scotland through his father’s nationality, he lived and grew up on the south coast.
Slot’s team face Real Madrid and Liverpool next after their trip to St Mary’s but the Reds manager is conscious upsets are more likely in the Premier League than in his previous job with Feyenoord in Netherlands.
‘In the Eredivisie, the quality difference between teams was so big. It’s not so big here. Southampton all the teams have players who could play for big clubs so if they have a good gameplan and playing style, it can really work against us or anyone.
‘The quality of the players that every Premier League team has is what makes it more testing.’
Reds skipper Virgil van Dijk is fit to face his former club after missing the last Nations League game for Netherlands but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa remain out. Liverpool have won 15 of 17 games in all competitions under Slot this season.