Benfica midfielder Orkun Kokcu has hailed Liverpool manager Arne Slot as the “best coach in the world” amid reports of a possible reunion with the Dutchman at Anfield.

Kokcu joined Feyenoord’s academy in 2014 and blossomed into a star under Slot, who made the Turkish midfielder his captain before seeing him depart to Benfica for a fee of around €30m in 2023.

Slot moved on to Liverpool 12 months later and is believed to be keen to bolster in midfield, with numerous reports from Portugal naming Kokcu as a significant target, although a rumoured asking price of €80m has so far proven problematic.

Kokcu did not hide his admiration for Slot in a recent interview with TRT Spor, admitting he would not be the player he is today without the Dutchman.

“Arne Slot is like my father, he made me who I am,” Kokcu said. “I think he is the best coach in the world. Tactically, in terms of communication…he is the best.

“When he took charge of Feyenoord, I saw a big boost in my performance in the first season. That year, we reached the Conference League final, but unfortunately we lost. So I think the performance was very good.

“I wanted to be transferred in the summer [of 2022] and some of the big clubs in the top six in England were interested in me. We had serious talks about the transfer, but at the last minute it didn’t happen. The following season, Arne Slot made me team captain and the responsibility increased my performance even more.”

Liverpool continued to be linked with a number of midfielders, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, while reports also suggest they are looking to bolster further forwards amid uncertainty over the future of Mohamed Salah.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush has been touted as a possible target, while Lyon’s Rayan Cherki is the latest player to be linked with a move to Anfield.

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