By Martin Graham
Liverpool Manager Arne Slot has admitted that the current campaign has been more demanding than any he has experienced in management, describing it as difficult “by a kilometre” while acknowledging that his squad has fallen short of the club’s expectations.
Sunday’s defeat Manchester City it left the current Premier League holders sitting in sixth place, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. The situation is tight, with Liverpool level on points with Brentford in seventh and only spared relegation on goal difference after a late goal was ruled out by Manchester City.
Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp in June 2024 and made an immediate impact, guiding the Reds to a record 20th league crown in his debut season. This success has not been sustained this year, despite heavy investments during the summer window.
Liverpool have spent nearly £450m on reinforcements, highlighted by a British record £125m move for Alexander Isakbut consistency has been elusive. Their return to the league in 2025-26 is 11 wins, six draws and eight losses.
Champions League standards, pressure and fears
Speaking to BBC Sport, Slot reflected on the unfamiliar nature of the struggles and admitted back-to-back defeats are something he is not used to. Even deadlocks, he explained, feel deeply frustrating for a team accustomed to setting the bar high.
The Dutch coach emphasized that his players understand what is required at Liverpool and are very aware that they do not meet these benchmarks. That sense of dissatisfaction, he said, is shared throughout the locker room.
With the possibility of five English teams qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Slot remains realistic about what is needed. He suggested his team might have to be “close to perfect” to secure a top-five finish and was blunt about the consequences of failure.
Missing out on Europe’s elite competition, Slot admitted, would make the campaign unacceptable. Drawing on his own arrival after one season in the Europa League, he highlighted how the absence of Champions League football can significantly affect the way a club operates.
Injuries, setbacks and belief in a turnaround
Liverpool’s trip to Sunderland on Wednesday presents another challenge, particularly with problems at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been covering in defence, is suspended after his dismissal against Manchester City.
Conor Bradley’s season is now over, Jeremie Frimpong has not played since picking up a groin problem against Qarabag and Joe Gomez remains out. Isak and centre-back Giovanni Leoni are also out long-term.
Slot pointed to misfortune as a recurring theme, citing injuries and late knocks, even noting that future signing Jeremy Jacquet picked up a shoulder problem for Rennes before joining the club. Still, he insisted that the focus should be on improving displays rather than focusing on setbacks.
Although defeat at the Estadio de la Llum would intensify scrutiny, Slot maintained a belief within the club that something remarkable can be achieved. If results don’t improve, he acknowledged, questions about his position will inevitably grow.
