Arne Slot (Image: Getty)
Liverpool chief Arne Slot has hailed Michael Jordan as the epitome of success and is urging his squad to draw inspiration from the basketball titan as he aims to carve out a legacy at Anfield. The Reds are poised to hoist the Premier League silverware at Anfield for the second occasion in five years, despite many players experiencing both triumph and near misses under Jurgen Klopp's aegis.
Slot has issued a challenge to his team to exhibit the relentless ambition that transformed Jordan into a global sports legend. With six NBA championships under his belt with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan's illustrious 15-year career stands as a testament to this ethos - an example Slot eagerly points to: "Only sportsmen who have the right mentality have the chance of becoming serial winners.
"Even the Michael Jordans of this world have lost championships - but they've won a lot because of the mentality and the quality they have. Many of my players - and also myself - hadn't won the league in England. Only a few of them only had - but now we've all won it.
"Now let's see how they react. We all have quality and we already know they can work so hard - so now it's about mentality."
Meanwhile, Slot attended a Bruce Springsteen concert this week at Manchester's Co-op Live, a stone's throw from the Etihad Stadium. Ever the strategist, Slot found pearls of wisdom at the concert that may just tip the scales at Anfield, ushering in more Glory Days next season.
And he will be drawing inspiration to motivate his team, including Virgil van Dijk, when pre-season training commences in July. Slot aims to instil a 'Tougher Than the Rest' mentality in his squad.
The Dutchman expressed his admiration for Springsteen's remarkable work ethic and dedication, which enables the 75-year-old musician to deliver three-hour performances without a break. Slot noted: "I've heard what Springsteen does during his daily life to be able to do what he does. Talking about people having good habits!
"Springsteen, at 75, is still able to do three hours on stage without even one minute of rest. I think he took three or four drinks - of what I assume was water."
Slot attributed Springsteen's endurance to his disciplined lifestyle, which he learned about through a mutual acquaintance.
A self-proclaimed fan of Springsteen's music, Slot admitted that while he can sing along to 'Born in the USA', he isn't familiar with every song in the artist's repertoire. However, he drew parallels between the devotion of Springsteen's fans and that of Liverpool's supporters.
Slot said: "But what I recognised is that people are as passionate about Bruce Springsteen as our fans are about Liverpool.
"I like to watch the joy he gives his fans and the joy our players give the fans at Anfield - so that is a great comparison."
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