**Arne Slot admits Liverpool failing to reach the Champions League will be ‘unacceptable’.**
Five points separate the reigning Premier League champions from Manchester United in the top flight’s final qualifying position for Europe’s elite club competition.
The Reds could be nine points off the pace before their upcoming trip to Sunderland should Michael Carrick’s side beat West Ham on Tuesday’s round of fixtures.
Although there is a possibility a fifth Champions League place could open up, Slot accepts falling short of a continental spot would fall below expectations at Anfield.
He said: “If we don’t have Champions League football, it’s definitely not been an acceptable season.
“When I arrived here we could only sign Federico Chiesa and that was after a Europa League season.
“So it has an impact \[on signings\], I’m completely aware of that”
The under-fire Dutchman heads to the Stadium of Light with no ready-made plan for right-back cover due to Dominik Szoboszlai’s [late red card against Manchester City](https://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/63575-liverpool-1-2-man-city-three-talking-points-alisson-dominik-szoboszlai-arne-slot/).
Fellow midfielders Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo can deputise in the role but he has again ruled out utilising Calvin Ramsay as the only available natural right-back.
“I think in general if you don’t win a game, the players who are not playing become the best players in the squad,” added Slot.
“That is the same I think everywhere in the world.
“So if the players who are starting are not winning, then the manager could have always better chosen another one.
“I think this is an example of this as well.
“I just want to protect all my players. I’ve chosen other players until now and that’s also what I’m going to do tomorrow.”