Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says he is certain the club will recover after a difficult defence of their Premier League crown, insisting the Reds will be back on track next season.
This campaign has been the club’s toughest in years: Liverpool have lost 12 league matches with one game to play against Brentford, their most defeats in a Premier League season for more than a decade. Injuries to key players and the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car crash last summer severely disrupted the team’s rhythm.
Slot acknowledged the problems but stressed that improvement is coming. He pointed to the squad’s recent transition and experience gained by new signings as reasons for optimism. “We will evolve as a team because we went through a transition already last summer and these players are now longer in,” he told Sky Sports. He added that many of the players brought in missed significant minutes this season, and greater availability next year should accelerate progress.
Slot also responded to internal criticism from forward Mohamed Salah, who called for a return to a more aggressive, feared attacking identity. While Slot said adding one or two players can make a big difference, he emphasised that development must also come from those who are already at the club. “It’s not only about the one or two players we might bring in. It’s also about evolving the ones we brought in last season and the ones we already have longer,” he said.
Defensive frailties were a major concern. Liverpool have conceded 52 goals in 38 Premier League games — a club high for a full 38-game season. Slot singled out the importance of improving off-the-ball work, noting how the title-winning team this season combined attacking quality with a strong defensive record. “They’ve hardly conceded a goal and that has become more and more important,” he said, pointing to the need for better balance at both ends.
Reflecting on his own development, Slot admitted this has been the first season in his managerial career where he has not had something to play for late in the campaign. That experience, he said, taught him how to cope with setbacks and pressure. “I’ve been lucky enough to only experience positive, positive, positive and then the job is much easier,” he said. “But I think I’ve learned from myself that I can handle that situation. I haven’t lost myself.”
Looking ahead, Slot believes a summer transfer window and improved luck with injuries can quickly change the club’s fortunes. He highlighted how other Premier League teams have been transformed by mid-season additions, underlining the potential impact of targeted signings.
Fans can watch Liverpool’s final game of the season against Brentford live on Sky Sports+; kick-off is 4:00pm on Sunday, with coverage from 3:00pm.