Slot admits season has been his hardest yet at Anfield

By Martin Graham

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has acknowledged that the present marketing campaign has been extra demanding than another he has skilled in administration, describing it as tough “by a mile” whereas conceding his crew is falling in need of the membership’s expectations.

Sunday’s loss to Manchester Metropolis left the reigning Premier League holders sitting sixth, 4 factors adrift of Chelsea in fifth. The state of affairs is tight, with Liverpool degree on factors with Brentford in seventh and solely spared a drop on objective distinction after a late Manchester Metropolis objective was dominated out.

Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp in June 2024 and delivered an instantaneous influence, guiding the Reds to a record-equalling twentieth league crown in his debut season. That success has not carried over into this 12 months, regardless of heavy funding through the summer season window.

Liverpool have spent near £450m on reinforcements, highlighted by a British-record £125m transfer for Alexander Isak, but consistency has been elusive. Their league return in 2025-26 stands at 11 victories, six attracts, and eight defeats.

Requirements, stress and Champions League fears

Chatting with BBC Sport, Slot mirrored on the unfamiliar nature of the struggles, admitting consecutive defeats are one thing he’s not accustomed to. Even stalemates, he defined, really feel deeply irritating for a squad used to setting the bar excessive.

The Dutch coach burdened that his gamers perceive what’s demanded at Liverpool and are acutely conscious they don’t seem to be matching these benchmarks. That sense of dissatisfaction, he mentioned, is shared all through the dressing room.

With the likelihood that 5 English sides might qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League, Slot stays lifelike about what’s required. He urged his crew might should be “near perfection” to safe a top-five end and was blunt in regards to the penalties of failure.

Lacking out on Europe’s elite competitors, Slot admitted, would make the marketing campaign unacceptable. Drawing on his personal arrival after a Europa League season, he highlighted how the absence of Champions League soccer can considerably have an effect on the best way the membership operates.

Accidents, setbacks and perception in a turnaround

Liverpool’s journey to Sunderland on Wednesday presents one other problem, notably with issues at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been overlaying in defence, is suspended following his dismissal in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

Conor Bradley’s season is already over, Jeremie Frimpong has not performed since choosing up a groin situation in opposition to Qarabag, and Joe Gomez stays sidelined. Isak and centre-back Giovanni Leoni are additionally long-term casualties.

Slot pointed to misfortune as a recurring theme, referencing accidents and late blows, even noting that future signing Jeremy Jacquet suffered a shoulder drawback for Rennes earlier than becoming a member of the membership. Nonetheless, he insisted the main target should keep on enhancing shows quite than dwelling on setbacks.

Whereas defeat on the Stadium of Gentle would intensify scrutiny, Slot maintained there may be nonetheless perception contained in the membership that one thing exceptional could be achieved. If outcomes don’t enhance, he acknowledged, questions on his place will inevitably develop.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports activities author