'I played for some of the biggest clubs in the world - I got the same feeling joining Liverpool'

Arne Slot's new assistant coach at Liverpool, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, has opened up on his decision to make the switch to Anfield this summer, moving away from being a number one in the process.

With John Heitinga, the former Everton defender, having left Liverpool's coaching staff at the end of last season to join Ajax, there was a vacancy to be filled. And Van Bronckhorst was the man identified as a top target.

Already in his coaching career, Van Bronckhorst has managed the likes of Feyenoord and Besiktas. But in linking up with Slot on Merseyside, he has changed course in order to remain at the very top of the game.

"When Arne called me about joining his staff, it was part of my decision to come, but also a big part of it was the club," Van Bronckhorst told the Reds' official website.

"As a player and coach, I’ve always been involved in clubs that are well-known throughout the world, and were always competing for the top prizes.

"As a player with Arsenal, Barcelona and, of course, the national team, Rangers, and Feyenoord in Holland, so it’s the environment I had all my life as a player.

"I feel I have the same experience with the size of the club Liverpool is, with how it stands in society. It is very important for the city, it is a club that is well connected within the community, and I think that’s also really, really nice."

Van Bronckhorst, like the new Liverpool signings who have come in this summer, have already had a taste of how big the club is around the world with the trip to Asia for the pre-season tour.

"I have been here now for a few weeks, but I could sense how big the club is straight away — including when we were in Hong Kong and Tokyo," Van Bronckhorst added.

"You could feel Liverpool is well loved there, and how many fans we have across the world, even to watch our training sessions.

"Once the season starts with a big game against Crystal Palace and then the start of the Premier League, you can see everyone wants to give everything every day to be as well prepared as we can be for the start."

Liverpool.com says: Van Bronckhorst brings with him a wealth of experience so he looks like a very good candidate to have joined Slot. He's not really had the focus on him so far, this being his first interview, but that might change as we move forward.

Pep Lijnders' influence, for instance, grew under Jurgen Klopp. Heitinga was very well thought of when he was at Liverpool. In time, Van Bronckhorst's personality is likely to become clearer.

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