British managers are underestimated in their own country according to Liverpool's top player Arne Slot.
On Sunday, the leaders from Slot travel to last-place Southampton. Brighton-born boss Russell Martin has been criticized for sticking to purist principles during a relegation battle.
'A lot has been said about English managers recently, with the appointment of Thomas Tuchel, but I was now up against Gary O'Neil, who I thought had a very good game plan.
'This is another very interesting manager and in two or three weeks I will be up against Eddie Howe, who I already know is a very good manager. Maybe you're not in as bad a situation as people say.
'I have watched the games he (Martin) played at Manchester City or Arsenal, where I see very interesting and clever patterns of play. It was interesting how they dealt with the press.
'Russell has his own style and believes in it. If you have a good idea of football, the results will come automatically.'
Although Martin won 29 caps as a player for Scotland due to his father's nationality, he lived and grew up on the south coast.
Slot's team next take on Real Madrid and Liverpool after their trip to St Mary's, but the Reds manager is aware that setbacks are more likely in the Premier League than in his previous job at Feyenoord in the Netherlands.
'In the Eredivisie the difference in quality between teams was so great. It's not that big here. All the Southampton teams have players who could play for big clubs, so if they have a good game plan and a good playing style it could really work against us or anyone else.
'The quality of players that each Premier League team has makes it more difficult.'
Reds captain Virgil van Dijk is fit to face his former club after missing the last Nations League match for the Netherlands, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa remain out. Liverpool have won 15 of 17 games in all competitions under Slot this season.
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