Arne Slot has admitted this campaign is the toughest of his managerial career, saying it is hard “by a mile”.
Liverpool, he said, are “not performing to Liverpool’s standards”, and the table reflects that struggle.
Defeat by Manchester City on Sunday left the champions sixth, four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. They sit level with Brentford, and only a disallowed late goal spared further damage.
Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in June 2024 and delivered a record-equalling 20th league title immediately. However, momentum has faded despite nearly £450m spent, including £125m for Alexander Isak.
Liverpool’s league return reads 11 wins, six draws, and eight defeats in 2025-26. And when asked if this season was his hardest, Slot replied: “By a mile.”
“All the other seasons I have managed, there was only positives,” he added calmly. “I don’t think I have ever lost two games in a row [until now].”
“I don’t think we feel we’ve only lost two of our last 17,” Slot continued. “A draw feels like a loss.” “The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean,” he said firmly. “They feel that disappointment.”
With five English teams likely reaching the Champions League, the margin remains thin. Still, Slot accepts the stakes without hesitation.
Champions League race defines Liverpool’s season and Slot’s immediate future
“If we don’t have Champions League football [next season], it’s definitely not been an acceptable season,” Slot said. “That does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run.”
Liverpool travel to unbeaten Sunderland on Wednesday night, with pressure mounting quickly. Injuries and suspensions have stripped options, especially in defence.
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Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended, Conor Bradley is out, and Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined. Joe Gomez, Isak, and Giovanni Leoni are also long-term absentees.
“It’s different to lead the team after a loss,” Slot admitted thoughtfully. “There’s still a possibility where we can do something special this season.”
Setbacks have piled up, from late goals to slow adaptation by new signings. “Even if we sign a player… he gets injured,” Slot said of Jeremy Jacquet.
Yet excuses were avoided, replaced by blunt self-examination. “The question is are we unlucky or is it part of who we are? That is something we can only find out,” Slot concluded.
Tags: Arne Slot, Liverpool, #YNWA, #LFC, Premier League.
