Benfica midfielder and former Arne Slot protege Orkun Kokcu has waxed lyrical about the Liverpool manager's impact on his career amid links with an eventual transfer to Anfield.
The Turkey international served as Feyenoord's club captain during the 2022-23 campaign under Slot, before transferring to Portuguese giants Benfica in a €25m (£20.9m) deal last summer.
The Eagles beat a handful of top Premier League outfits - including Liverpool - to Kokcu's signature, and the 23-year-old has quickly adapted to life in the Primeira Liga with 11 goals and 14 assists in 58 appearances in all tournaments.
Filling Enzo Fernandez's boots at the Estadio da Luz, Kokcu has come up with four goals and three assists in 15 matches in the current campaign, largely operating through the centre but also making an impact on the left-hand side.
The midfielder's contract still has another four years left to run, and his deal is alleged to include an eye-watering release clause of €150m (£125.4m), but Benfica could be receptive to bids of around €80m (£66.9m).
Kokcu confirms "serious talks" with Premier League clubs
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Following claims that Liverpool had deployed scouts to run the rule over his performances, Kokcu has now seemingly issued a come-and-get-me plea to Slot, whom he has hailed as the "best coach in the world".
"Arne Slot is like a father. He made me who I am. He is the best coach in the world," the 23-year-old told TRT Spor. "When my old coach [Arne Slot] took over, I had a big breakthrough in his first season.
"We reached the final of the Conference League that year, but unfortunately we lost. Still, I think my performance that season was very good. I actually wanted to transfer in the summer; some of the big clubs in the top six in England were interested in me.
"We had serious talks about a transfer, but it didn't happen at the last minute. The following season, Arne Slot made me captain of the team, and that responsibility increased my performance even more."
Kokcu amassed 32 goals and 27 assists in 175 matches during his successful Feyenoord stint, winning the 2022-23 Eredivisie title as Slot's captain before jumping ship for Benfica.
Should Liverpool go all in to sign Kokcu?
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Kokcu's comments appear to be the biggest green light for Liverpool to make a move in 2025, although the Turkey international will not come on the cheap and will not be a guaranteed starter.
There is virtually no chance of the 23-year-old forcing his way into the double pivot over Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister, although he may be better suited to the most advanced midfield position instead.
However, Dominik Szoboszlai and the ever-improving Curtis Jones are currently engaging in a fierce two-horse scrap for that position, while Harvey Elliott will provide another option in that slot when he returns from a foot injury.
Furthermore, Liverpool would arguably do well to prioritise the signing of a new number six as opposed to a number eight or number 10, as Wataru Endo is not a long-term option and Tyler Morton is not being given much of a look-in under Slot.
Thankfully for the Reds, Gravenberch is at the top of his game performance-wise and fitness-wise right now, as the Reds hold a five-point lead over Manchester City at the summit of the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
