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• Meulensteen backs Slot success at Liverpool as Klopp comparisons evident

  Liverpool will not see many differences between Jurgen Klopp and incoming manager Arne Slot, though the Dutchman must learn to cope with the added pressure at Anfield.

  That was the message from Australia coach and former Manchester United assistant Rene Meulensteen, who expects fellow countryman Slot to succeed on Merseyside.

  Slot leaves the Netherlands after three highly successful seasons with Feyenoord, during which he led them to the league title in 2023 and was named Eredivisie Manager of the Year on two occasions.

  That record has Meulensteen expecting further success for the former Feyenoord boss.

  Meulensteen, speaking on behalf of William Hill Vegas, told Stats Perform: "There was a lot of speculation about different names being touted with [Xabi] Alonso and Rubin Amorim, but then when Arne Slot's name came up, I didn't necessarily think that it was a bad choice and a bad decision.

  "I like him. I rate him as a coach and as a person. I think he's got a likeability about him, he's a good communicator, he plays a brand of football that is very much in line with what Klopp has done over the last few years.

  "You won't see many differences there, he might tweak one or two things, but it will still be high press, high energy, dynamic football. 

  "In my opinion, I think it's always the proof is in the pudding, but I think it's not a bad choice at all for Liverpool."

  Liverpool managed 82 points in the 2023-24 Premier League, finishing nine behind Manchester City and seven adrift of second-placed Arsenal.

  The Dutchman will officially take charge from next Saturday, subject to receiving a work permit, and Meulensteen believes it will be a step up for Slot.

  "Liverpool are a global brand, it's a big club, it brings different expectations and winning the Premier League is the hardest thing to do," he added. 

  "The ambitions will be there for Liverpool. Same with the Champions League. So the difference between that step from Feyenoord to Liverpool is really in terms of the expectations, which brings a different kind of pressure.

  "You need to be able to handle that, clubs like Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal, City, Chelsea, you want to be successful, but at the same time play in an attractive style of football.

  "It's a difficult kind of combination, and obviously he's going from the Eredivisie, the Dutch league, to the Premier League.

  "That will be his biggest step up because that is where he's going to be confronted with every week.

  "If he's clever, he has to bring somebody in his staff along that knows the Premier League, that understands the Premier League."

  Rene Meulensteen was speaking on behalf of William Hill Vegas: https://vegas.williamhill.com 

• Alex Sandro leaves Juventus cherishing Bianconeri connection after Monza win

  Alex Sandro celebrated trophies and finals with Juventus but says he will cherish his bond with the Bianconeri supporters the most after an emotional farewell on Saturday.

  The Brazil international waved goodbye in Turin for one final time against Monza, signing off with a goal in a 2-0 victory at Allianz Stadium.

  Alex Sandro made a record-equalling 327 appearances for Juve, matching Pavel Nedved's record for the most by a foreign player in the club's history.

  Yet the versatile defender will be moving onto new beginnings after Juve ended the season third in Serie A.

  "It was emotional for me, I have never cried so much in my life," he told DAZN, having joined the club in 2015.

  "I am proud of myself and what I achieved. Over the last few days, I told everyone that the trophies and finals were lovely, but what I take away is the bond with the people."

  Paolo Montero was in interim charge once more for the clash with Monza, in which Federico Chiesa was also on target.

  The Juventus caretaker also oversaw a 3-3 draw with Bologna after Massimiliano Allegri was dismissed, and Montero acknowledged he has not changed much in terms of tactics.

  "I honestly did not come here to transform anything, but to collaborate and I am proud to be with these players," Montero told DAZN.

  "Every time they play, I sit in the stands to watch them, so it was an honour to be here with them."

  Montero referenced Chiesa as one of Juve's key players going forward.

  "We evaluated the players in the best shape," Montero added. "Chiesa has the quality to play on the right like at Fiorentina or the left like for Italy.

  "He is a champion with a very positive mentality and is prepared for the Euros this summer.

  "Chiesa makes the difference, I saw that at the stadium. If he continues to play at this tempo, he creates spaces and becomes deadly in one-on-one situations.

  "These players can play wide, central, left or right, the important thing is that they have space to take men on."

• 'We cannot replace him' – Mbappe departs PSG 'filled with joy'

  Kylian Mbappe says he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain with his head held high but Luis Enrique does not expect to replace his star forward.

  Mbappe announced this month he would leave the French capital at the end of the season after a seven-year stay during which he became their all-time top scorer, with 256 goals.

  His last game for Luis Enrique's side came in Saturday's Coupe de France final at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with first-half strikes from Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz securing a 2-1 win against Lyon.

  "It was both difficult and enjoyable because it's a final, and in the end, we won. It's filled with joy," Mbappe told reporters.

  "It's all good memories, many years, both at PSG and of course in this league. We leave with our heads held high, especially with a trophy, and we only keep the positives."

  Mbappe has been heavily linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

  Asked why he had not announced his next club yet, the 25-year-old said: "Because I think that the best thing to do is to finish these goodbyes.

  "I think all I wanted was to finish well with my club. There's a trophy. I think there's a time for everything.

  "I'll announce my new club in due course. I think we're just a few days away, so there's no problem."

  PSG head coach Luis Enrique says there will be no single replacement for Mbappe, placing the focus on the entire team.

  "I have had the good fortune to coach Kylian this season, it has been a difficult one for him after seven years at his club and all that he has achieved, it is difficult to say goodbye," Enrique told a news conference.

  "There is no substitute for Mbappe, we cannot replace him, we will do it through the team and four, five or six signings we can make.

  "Kylian's replacement will be the team that, along with the fans and our ambition, will try to win everything in the following seasons."