Arne Slot has overseen 18 defeats at Liverpool this season, and though there are plenty of mitigations for the downturn, a change in fortunes is required as soon as possible
14:24, 04 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot knows that his side has to improve. Virgil van Dijk, speaking to reporters at Old Trafford, said it was "unacceptable" the way that this season has gone.
Defensively porous and accused by Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane, among others, of being too weak, Liverpool will return to the Champions League next season, but it is still some way off being at a level to compete for the Premier League title again.
Come the summer, the task for Slot and his players will be to find the necessary improvements — on the training field and in the transfer market — to make the step up to matching Arsenal and Manchester City once more.
READ MORE: Arne Slot error proves costly as Liverpool and Man Utd reality clear - 5 talking pointsREAD MORE: Jamie Carragher reveals long-term Liverpool 'worry' as he calls for summer transfer action
As has been widely reported, including by The Athletic, in recent weeks, Liverpool's owners, FSG, are keen to give Slot the time to turn things around, just a year on from winning the league at the first time of asking.
And, while a defeat to Manchester United is never likely to lift spirits, there will be a chance to reset when the summer arrives, safe in the knowledge that Liverpool has made the Champions League spots — something that wasn't guaranteed for much of the campaign.
"I wouldn’t say concerned is the right word, but I’m completely aware of the fact that we need three points," Slot said when asked about his side's status in the top five places.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and midfielder Dominik Szobsozlai.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and midfielder Dominik Szobsozlai.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"That’s why I was so annoyed that we didn’t pick them up (against Manchester United). Although we didn’t deserve to get these points in the first half, that’s completely clear.
"But if you are 2-2 coming back after [being] 2-0 down, then you should at least go away here with a result, which we didn’t do.
"We knew before the game we had four chances to pick up three points to qualify for the Champions League. Now there are three chances left."
Liverpool finishes the season with matches against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brentford. It needs a maximum of four more points to mathematically be confirmed as coming at least fifth in the standings.
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"It's been a very disappointing season — an unacceptable season for us," Van Dijk admitted on Sunday. "It's tough but we shouldn’t feel sorry for ourselves whatsoever.
"We have to turn it around and make sure these things don’t happen. It’s not Liverpool.
"We have three more games now then the World Cup and there will be a reset. We have to realize next season this season cannot be repeated. It is unacceptable."
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Liverpool.com says: Slot has been really unlucky with injuries and there are other factors at play too. Next year, for instance, even just having a fully fit Alexander Isak should guarantee more points. Liverpool, even if it might not feel like it, is not that far away, as long as it gets things right in the upcoming summer window.