EPL: Slot calls current season his toughest yet
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has described the current campaign as the most difficult of his managerial career, admitting his side are falling short of the club’s expected standards following their latest Premier League setback.
Defeat to Manchester City on Sunday left Liverpool sixth in the table, four points adrift of fifth-placed Chelsea and level on points with Brentford in seventh.
The Reds narrowly avoided slipping further down the standings after Manchester City’s late third goal was disallowed, preserving Liverpool’s superior goal difference.
Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp in June 2024 and delivered a record-equalling 20th league title in his debut season, has endured a sharp contrast this term despite heavy investment in the squad.
“By a mile” the hardest campaign
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Dutch coach was candid about the challenges he is facing.
“By a mile,” Slot said when asked if this was his toughest season. “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.”
Liverpool’s league record stands at 11 wins, six draws and eight defeats in the 2025-26 season, despite almost £450m spent on new signings last summer, including a British-record £125m deal for Alexander Isak.
Slot stressed that internal expectations remain high. “The players know what the standards of Liverpool mean and we aren’t performing to those standards. They feel that disappointment,” he said.
Champions League pressure mounts
With the Premier League likely to secure five Champions League places this season, Liverpool remain in contention, but Slot has acknowledged the consequences of missing out.
“If we don’t have Champions League football [next season], it’s definitely not been an acceptable season,” he said. “That does have an enormous impact on the way this club is run. I am completely aware of that.”
The former Feyenoord boss added that qualification would require near-perfect performances in the run-in.
Injury concerns ahead of Sunderland trip
Liverpool travel to face Sunderland on Wednesday, with Slot facing mounting selection issues. Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended, Conor Bradley is out for the season, while Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez remain sidelined. Isak and centre-back Giovanni Leoni are also long-term absentees.
Despite the difficulties, Slot insisted belief remains within the squad. “There’s still a possibility where we can do something special this season,” he said.
