Slot Describes Current Season as His Toughest
Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool currently sit sixth in the table, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has described this season as the toughest he has experienced as a manager "by a mile," acknowledging that his team is "not performing to Liverpool's standards."
The Reds' recent 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday leaves them level on points with seventh-placed Brentford. Liverpool would have dropped below Brentford on goal difference if Rayan Cherki's late third goal for City had not been disallowed.
Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager in June 2024 and led the club to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in his first season. Despite this success, Liverpool have faced difficulties in the 2025-26 campaign, even after investing nearly £450 million in new signings during the summer transfer window, including a British record £125 million acquisition of striker Alexander Isak.
So far this season, Liverpool's Premier League record stands at 11 wins, six draws, and eight losses.
Slot Reflects on Challenges and Team Performance
When asked by if this is the toughest season he has managed, Slot responded:
"By a mile. All the other seasons I have managed, there was only positives.
"I don't think I have ever lost two games in a row [until now]. It's an exception for me, I am not used to it.
"I don't think we feel we've only lost two of our last 17. A draw feels like a loss.
"The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean and we aren't performing to those standards. They feel that disappointment."
Champions League Qualification and Club Impact
With the Premier League likely to send five teams to next season's Champions League instead of the usual four, competition for qualification is intense. Last month, Slot indicated Liverpool would consider their season acceptable if they "improve in one box" and potentially special if they "improve in both boxes."
However, on Tuesday, the Dutch manager emphasized the need for near perfection to secure Champions League football next season and acknowledged the consequences of failing to qualify:
"If we don't have Champions League football [next season], it's definitely not been an acceptable season," Slot said.
"When I arrived here and only signed Federico Chiesa, it was after a Europa League season.
"That does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run. I am completely aware of that."
Upcoming Match and Squad Challenges
Liverpool are scheduled to face Sunderland, who remain unbeaten at home, on Wednesday at 20:15 GMT. Slot may face difficulties selecting right-back options for the match, as Dominik Szoboszlai, who has been deputizing at full-back, is suspended following a late red card against Manchester City.
Additional absences include Conor Bradley, out for the remainder of the season; Jeremie Frimpong, sidelined with a groin injury sustained against Qarabag; and Joe Gomez, currently recovering from a knock. Striker Alexander Isak and centre-back Giovanni Leoni are also long-term absentees.
Slot Maintains Optimism Despite Difficulties
Reflecting on the team's current form, Slot stated:
"It's different to lead the team after a loss or multiple losses and draws than a win but I don't think anybody in this building thinks I've completely changed," he said.
"There's still a possibility where we can do sometime special this season."
