'Jürgen knows me inside out. He'll always be there to give advice'

Pepijn Lijnders on the switch from Liverpool assistant to Salzburg head coachand what he thinks of Arne Slot

- Arthur Renard

After four months as Red Bull Salzburg's head coach Pepijn Lijnders has experienced a wide range of emotions. Jürgen Klopp's former Liverpool assistant won six and drew two of his first eight games but has since overseen a challenging period that has included three heavy defeats. Not that it has lessened his determination. This job has, after all, been a long time in the making.

From the moment it was announced in January that Klopp and Lijnders would leave Anfield at the end of the season, the Dutchman was open to offers and a few clubs were invited to his house in Formby to explain their ideas. Salzburg were among them and it was not their first attempt to lure him.

“They had shown an interest the summer before and [this year] soon the choice was clear in my head that I wanted to go to Salzburg,” the 41-year-old says. “What appealed to me was their academy, football philosophy and the idea to start an adventure in a new country, with a new language and new people.”

Lijnders, who had been instrumental in helping youngsters such as Trent Alexander-Arnold settle in Liverpool's first team, wanted a club where the focus was on drafting in youth. But Salzburg told him he could also add certain elements to their pressing style.